Nucleus 22-channel cochlear mini-system implantations in Mandarin-speaking patients.

摘要

This article evaluates the benefits of the Mini System of the Nucleus 22-Channel Cochlear Implant on the speech perception and auditory functions of Mandarin-speaking patients. Tests adapted specifically for the assessment of a tonal language were administered in the best-aided condition preoperatively to four Mandarin-speakers. These scores were compared postoperatively with implant alone or with lipreading scores to quantify speech perception and auditory improvements resulting from the Nucleus 22 Mini-System cochlear implant. Four postlingually deafened adults underwent cochlear implant surgery using a Nucleus 22-Channel Mini-System Device via an inverted "U" postauricular incision and the posterior tympanotomy approach, without complications. After up to 2 years of rehabilitation, all four patients exhibited continuous improvement in both speech perception and auditory abilities over time. The improvements made by our Mandarin-speaking patients are comparable to studies on Western-language-speakingpatients implanted with the same device, indicating that the Nucleus 22 Mini System enables profoundly and totally deaf patients to distinguish between the four separate tones present in Mandarin Chinese.