Comparing eSRT and eCAP measurements in pediatric MED-EL cochlear implant users.
INTRODUCTION
Electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAP) and electrically evoked stapedius reflexes are the most frequently used objective measurements for programming a cochlear implant (CI) audio processor. Objective methods are particularly beneficial for children and CI users that encounter difficulties in providing feedback. In this study, we compared the threshold and the slope of the eCAP amplitude growth function with the electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold (eSRT) in pediatric CI users. Furthermore, the duration times required to perform eCAP and eSRT recordings were compared.


METHODS
During a regular fitting session, 52 pediatric CI users with recordable eSRTs having MED-EL devices (MED-EL GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) were programmed using the eSRT fitting method. The eCAP thresholds and the slopes of the amplitude growth function were measured across one apical, one medial, and one basal electrode contact.


RESULTS
There was a weak to medium correlation between eCAP thresholds and eSRTs. The eCAP threshold profile did not correlate with the eSRT profile. Typically ECAP thresholds were at a lower stimulation charge than eSRTs with only 4/152 being higher. An eCAP threshold was found on 152/156 electrode contacts with eSRTs. On average, the eCAP measurements took 4.2 times longer to record per electrode than eSRT measurements (median durations 35 s vs. 120 s).


CONCLUSION
eSRTs were significantly higher than eCAP thresholds and eSRT and eCAP profiles were generally different from each other reducing the clinical relevance of eCAP testing for setting MCLs across the array. Additionally, the eSRT measurements were faster to record than the eCAP threshold and slope determination measurements.
['Kosaner|Julie|J|', 'Spitzer|Philipp|P|', 'Bayguzina|Svetlana|S|', 'Gultekin|Muammer|M|', 'Behar|Laurie Arum|LA|']
D000200:Action Potentials D000293:Adolescent D001309:Auditory Threshold D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003054:Cochlear Implants D004558:Electric Stimulation D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory D005260:Female D034381:Hearing Loss D006801:Humans D008297:Male D011184:Postoperative Period D012022:Reflex, Acoustic D012189:Retrospective Studies D013198:Stapedius D016896:Treatment Outcome
eSRT eCAP Pediatric MED-EL Cochlear implant Threshold Slope ART