Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
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This manuscript describes a case in which, based on clinical observations, we hypothesize that a change in a cochlear implant recipient's electrode impedance and performance was attributed to a change in the recipient's physiology rather than a device failure. Of particular note was the finding that electrode impedances decreased after a period of nonuse of the implant as well as after steroid treatment. ⋯ Atypical fluctuations in electrode impedance were observed with periods of CI use and nonuse. Additionally, after a 10-month period of constant fluctuation of electrode impedances with atypical morphology, electrode impedances stabilized to normal levels with a typical morphology within 3 days of steroid treatment. Given these observations, we hypothesized that the change in this recipient's electrode impedance as well as the decrease in this implant recipient's performance may be attributed to his physiology rather than to the device failure. Changes in electrode impedance accompanied by a decrease in this patient's performance were successfully addressed by a period of nonuse of the implant, provision of steroids, and an increase in the pulse width of the biphasic pulsatile signal used for stimulation. It should be noted that the results of this case are anecdotal in nature and may not apply to all cochlear implant recipients experiencing electrode impedance changes and/or deterioration in performance.