Abstract
OBJECTIVES:: Intraoperative testing of cochlear implant devices, establishment of electrical threshold for acoustic reflex, and recording neural responses to electrical stimulation have traditionally required the presence of a cochlear implant audiologist in the operating room. The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of remote testing to improve time efficiency and reduce cost. STUDY DESIGN:: Prospective. METHODS:: A standard PC with Tridia VNC software and either Cochlear Corporation or Advanced Bionics Corporation mapping software was configured to perform remote testing. The time required to perform on-site or remote testing was measured. RESULTS:: With the availability of the laptop and internet access, there were no geographic restrictions regarding the site of remote testing. Remote testing was time efficient, requiring 9 minutes of audiologist's time compared with 93 minutes when the audiologist had to travel to the operating room. CONCLUSION:: Remote testing of the cochlear implant device and patient's response to electrical stimulation is technically feasible. It is timesaving, practical, and cost efficient.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 495-498 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Otology and Neurotology |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cochlear implantation
- Intraoperative testing
- Personal computer
- Remote testing
