Our Study of Comparison of Oticon Digisonic and Cochlear Limited Implants in North India

Introduction: This study is a comparitive study between oticon Digisonic and Cochlear limited implants outcomes in 200 implant surgeries at late Dr S N Mehrotra charitable ENT foundation between 2016 to 2019.

Material and methods: 100 children of Digisonic and 100 of Cochlear Ltd who were implanted between 2016-2019 in Mehrotra ENT hospital, were included in the study. Outcomes of all the implanted children in both groups were analyzed. Scoring system for auditory performance, speech rehabilitation and quality of life were also taken into account for every child implanted. Results of both groups were compared.

Results: Highest CAP level attained in cochlear group was 10 whereas in Digisonic group 5. 23% in Cochlear group had CAP level of 5 and above compared to only 1% in Digisonic group. 88% of children in Cochlear group had highest SIR of 5 and 6 compared to 75% in Digisonic group. 87% of cochlear group had GCBI index greater than 80(maximum benefit) compared to 41% of Digisonic group. Only 1% belongs to mild benefit in Cochlear group whereas in Digisonic 29% in minimal benefit group.

Conclusion: Cochlear LTD group results were better when compared to Digisonic group in terms of hearing, speech and quality of life index. Digisonic implants had easier insertion. Cochlear proved to be better than Digisonic owing to superior hearing, speech and quality of life outcomes.

Keywords: Oticon digisonic; Cochlear limited; Electrode insertion; Outcomes