Patient Selection

Abstract

Only totally deaf patients having a blank audiogram up to 500 Hz and 100 db may now be candidates for cochlear implant. The main criterion when selecting these patients is to obtain a positive response by the round window electrical stimulation test, because this positivity signifies that some cochlear nerve fibers are still present. Furthermore one must be sure of the patient's information regarding the necessity of a long post-operative training; his psychological status and his motivation are also important criteria. Other data allow us to approximatively predict the value of the future rehabilitation obtained by the cochlear implant. They must remain of accessory importance in the patient selection. Pre-or post-lingual deaf patients may be implanted, and regarding the size of the external emitter not before 8–10 years of age, even though implant might be theoretically indicated as soon as possible.