A Systematic Review of Electric-Acoustic Stimulation: Device Fitting Ranges, Outcomes, and Clinical Fitting Practices
Trends in Amplification
Incerti, P. V., Ching, T. Y., et al. (2013).
Trends in Amplification, 17(1), 3-26.
This systematic review investigates the benefits of combined electric and acoustic stimulation fitting procedures in cochlear implant candidates with preoperative residual low frequency hearing and severe to profound hearing loss in the high frequencies.
HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (Australia)
2000-2012
Peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials; nonrandomized controlled trials; cohort studies; case-control studies
27
"Speech perception, on average, was significantly higher postoperatively with electric stimulation alone when compared to best aided preoperative condition, and for combined acoustic and electric stimulation in the implanted ear as compared to scores for electric stimulation alone" (p. 10).
"Studies investigating preservation of residual acoustic hearing have shown that preservation of low frequency hearing was achieved in the majority of patients, particularly with the use of electric-acoustic arrays. However, there is on average, a reduction in the low frequency acoustic thresholds postoperatively" (p. 10).
"A wide variety of acoustic and electric fitting parameters and methods have been used and the individual variations applied to amplification of the high frequencies. Further research is also needed to investigate fitting procedures to maximize outcomes for recipients with different degrees of hearing loss" (pp. 24-25).
