A new advance in minimally invasive preservation of residual hearing (Norco)

　　In the past two years, minimally invasive cochlear implantation and residual hearing preservation have become an international hotspot for hearing implantation and rehabilitation. In China, Prof. Park Dai of the PLA General Hospital also reported that a group of patients with good residual hearing were successfully operated with imported brands such as the Australian cochlear implant with curved electrodes or the Austrian cochlear implant with soft electrodes. 100% of the patients’ residual hearing was preserved. However, there has been no answer to the question of whether the domestic Norcoat cochlear implant can preserve residual hearing. In November 2011, Prof. Dai Park performed a cochlear implant for an adult patient with good low-frequency residual hearing. Since the patient and his family were adamant about the use of a domestic cochlear implant and the desire to preserve residual hearing, Prof. Dai Park completed the surgery very smoothly after careful design and the use of a unique cochlear opening method and inner ear protection measures. The patient recovered well after the surgery and had a post-operative bare ear hearing review at our hospital in recent days. To the delight of the medical staff and the patient’s entire family, the patient’s hearing in the operated ear was completely protected and maintained at the same level of 45dB as before the surgery, and after two months of recovery, the patient’s family could already feel the obvious progress in his hearing and speech, and the patient’s self-confidence was greatly improved. The success of this case represents a victory for domestic cochlear implants. Not only are our domestic cochlear implants effective in assisting hearing, but their electrodes are also designed to meet the needs of minimally invasive and residual hearing preservation. This practice and result provides a broader range of product choices for deaf patients and families.　　(Note: Currently, domestic Norcochlear cochlear implants can only be implanted in patients over the age of 6, with implant permits for patients under the age of 6 still under review and approval)