Residual speech recognition and cochlear implant performance: Effects of implantation criteria

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of preoperative speech reception on postoperative speech recognition with a cochlear implant and to develop a statistical index allowing prediction of postoperative speech recognition before implantation. Study Design: The study design was a retrospective case review with statist ical modeling. Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center with an asso ciated Veteran's Administration hospital. Patients: Postlingually deafened adults with and without residual speech re ception participated. Intervention: Cochlear implantation with Cochlear Corporation CI-22 and CI- 24 devices was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Monosyllabic word recognit ion was measured. Results: Duration of deafness and preoperative sentence recognition are bot h significant predictors of word recognition with a cochlear implant and ca n account for 80% of the variance in word recognition. Conclusions: Cochlear implant outcomes are variable but predictable within specific ranges.