Question: An 82 year old male is referred for a cochlear implant evaluation. He notes that he has used hearing aids for 15 years but for the last 5 years, they have not been particularly useful. His right ear scores are as follows: CNC words 32%, AzBio sentences in quiet 56%. His pure tone average in that ear is 59 dB. Which of the following statements is true regarding hearing preservation cochlear implant surgery?
a) The likelihood of maintaining his cochlear function such that his PTA does not change is 90%
b) The surgeon should insert the electrode slowly to minimize trauma
c) Long-term hearing preservation is much more likely with a short array than a slim, lateral wall array
d) Electroacoustic stimulation involves electrical stimulation of one ear and hearing aid use in the other ear
[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]
Answer to last week's question, “Tracheal Teaching” (August 16, 2021)
D - Biopsy.