Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.28, sa.4, ss.478-481, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Programming is the arrangement of the electric circuit for each channel. Strategy of programming is to get threshold levels, comfortable levels, and dynamic range and to measure electrode impedance values by obtaining the minimum and maximum stimulus level. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in threshold levels, comfortable levels, dynamic range, and electrode impedance values in the 1st year post-implantation, in children using the Clarion cochlear implant system. Material and Methods: The maps of 24 pre-lingual children programmed with HiRes-S strategy were examined at 1, 6, 12 months after activation of the implant. Maps were analyzed for basal, medial, and apical segments. Programming was performed by using Neural Response Imaging (NRI), play and behavioral audiometric examination. Result: There were elevations in thresholds, comfortable levels, and dynamic ranges during the first 12 months of implant use. A very small increase in threshold values was detected at 12 months. Electrode impedance values increased at 6 months but decreased at 12 months. In addition, thresholds, comfortable levels and electrode impedance values were lower in the middle segment especially at 12 months. Significant changes in psycho-electric parameters and electrode impedance values were evident during the first 12 months of implant use. Conclusion: Stabilization of psycho-electric parameters requires a long time. In our patient group, most comfortable and threshold levels were not stabilized after one-year follow-up. Moreover, stabilization of electrode impedance values can take more than one year. Given the important role of an optimal map for speech perception, frequent programming sessions during the first few months of implant use are essential. Copyright © 2008 by Türkiye Klinikleri.