Intraoperative assessment of cochlear implant and auditory brainstem implant device function

Intraoperative objective measures play an important role in the treatment of patients who receive cochlear implants. This article will address the recording and interpretation of electrically evoked auditory potentials via traditional and brainstem cochlear implant devices, as well as electrical measures of device function and stapedial reflexes obtained at implant surgery. Several examples of intraoperative electrically evoked compound action potential and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response measures are shown for both the pediatric and adult populations using the three implantable prostheses available in the United States. The effects of stimulating and recording parameters, as well as patient variation that influence the electrophysiologic responses are presented.