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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of newer generation cochlear implants on facial nerve stimulation. This was a retrospective case review in a tertiary referral centre. We report two patients implanted with a Nucleus 22 cochlear implant (Cochlear Corp.) experiencing facial nerve stimulation and in one case Jacobson nerve stimulation is reported in one case. New generation cochlear implants with modiolus hugging electrodes (Nucleus 24 Contour and Corp.) were implanted in these patients – in one case, on the implanted side (revision surgery), and in the contralateral side in the other case. In both cases the application of a newer generation modiolus hugging cochlear implant did not induce abnormal facial nerve or Jacobson's nerve stimulation. In addition, all the implant electrodes were activated and the patients showed good speech perception. Patients with otosclerosis have a high risk of facial nerve and Jacobson's nerve stimulation. The application of a new generation cochlear implant in the implanted ear or in the contralateral ear represents a viable option in order to reduce the risk of extra-auditory stimulation.