Introduction and Objectives: Programming of cochlear implant's (CI) map is performed by behavioural testing in most patients. A good map is needed to give access to hearing and speech perception, which enables better speech understanding and development. Programming based on behavioural responses may be difficult in young children because they cannot provide adequate feedback. Objective measures, such as Electrical Stapedius Reflex Threshold (ESRT), have become paramount to predict optimal current levels. This study is designed to compare the results of ESRT-based maps to behaviourally-based maps in terms of audiometric and speech performances for users.
Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective study which was performed on 34 CI users. ESRT was recorded for each electrode for every user. Behavioural-based map was compared with ESRT-based map regarding outcome measures. Aided pure tone average (PTA) and aided speech discrimination scores (SDS) were performed for each user. Both tests were done for each implantee twice, once for each different map used.
Results: Although ESRT-based maps produced satisfactory outcome measures, aided PTA and aided SDS were statistically significantly worse compared with behavioural maps in all the studied group. There was a high statistically significant positive correlation between ESRT and behavioural C-levels at every electrode number. This signifies that ESRT is a statistically significant predictor for behavioural C-levels.
Conclusion: Although ESRT-based mapping produced satisfactory results for most users, behavioural-based mapping is superior regarding outcome measures. ESRT is a particularly good predictor for behavioural C-levels and a reliable mapping alternative in challenging cases.