The Binaural Digisonic Cochlear Implant Surgical Technique

The surgical technique of cochlear implantation is currently well established. It is sure and efficient. The results of the cochlear implant concerning speech perception are good and have a favorable cost/efficiency ratio. However, some points remain to be researched. Bilateral implantation allows one to obtain a binaural perception and especially to increase, theoretically, the possibilities of frequency discrimination by reducing interactions between electrodes and therefore improving the patient's performance. Nevertheless, it seems important to caution against placing two implants in one patient, especially for economic reasons. Thus, we have developed, with the MXM Company, a concept of a unique implant able to stimulate both cochleas with a single processor and a single receiver the Binaural Digisonic cochlear implant. This article describes the Binaural Digisonic system, the surgical technique as developed by postmortem dissection, and the first two implantations in patients.