Toward a method of achieving balanced stimulation of bilateral auditory nerves: Evidence from children receiving matched and unmatched bilateral cochlear implants simultaneously.

Objectives: To identify whether mismatched bilateral cochlear implants compromise balanced stimulation of the two auditory nerves and establish asymmetric hearing in children.

Methods: Behavioural and electrophysiological measures were completed in 47 children receiving bilateral CIs in the same surgery (simultaneously): 27 children received a peri‑modiolar N24RE array in one ear and a 422 anti-modiolar array in the other (experimental group) and 20 children received 2 peri‑modiolar arrays (control group). Differences in current levels between the two devices were measured by electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) at the time of surgery.