Trial of Image-Guided Cochlear Implant Programming Versus Standard of Care

Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices which restore the ability to hear to the hearing impaired. While remarkably successful, even in the best of performers restoration of hearing to levels of normal listeners is unusual. Approximately 3 weeks after surgery, cochlear implants are activated via mapping - a process in which each individual electrode (FDA approved cochlear implants have between 12 and 22 electrodes) is turned on and the stimulus level adjusted to a level that is comfortable and beneficial to the recipient. At present, this standard of care mapping procedure is performed without knowledge of the physical location between the cochlear implant electrodes and the neural interface. Our team has developed a new method of mapping using post-operative CT scans and image processing to specify the physical relationship between the cochlear implant electrodes and the neural interface allowing customized mapping. Using this information, the investigators deactivate sub-optimally positioned electrodes. The investigators term this "Image-guided Cochlear Implant Programming" (IGCIP). In a prospective fashion, the investigators have implemented IGCIP on cochlear implant recipients who have had at least 6 months of standard of care (SOC) mapping. The purpose of this study is to perform a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on newly activated cochlear implant recipients randomizing between IGCIP and SOC.