Integrated profile to assess auditory nerve-auditory pathway integrity.

Purpose: To evaluate the Integrated Cochlear Profile for Assessing Auditory Nerve-Auditory Pathway Integrity (ICP-API), as proposed by our group, in the selection of cochlear implant candidates.

Procedures: The API of the candidates for cochlear implantation were assessed with the ICP-API, which consists of 5 categories including: audiological testing; radiological imaging study; ear-canal electric response audiometry; response to environmental sounds; speech development level. The auditory rehabilitation effects of the cochlear implantation receivers were evaluated postoperatively.

Results: Sixty-six of 68 candidates who met the criteria of the ICP-API received cochlear implantation with improved hearing and speech development postoperatively. The remaining 2 of the 68 candidates were diagnosed with bilateral auditory nerves aplasia, and therefore failed cochlear implants were avoided.

Conclusion: The ICP-API is valuable and feasible for the selection of cochlear implant candidates. The API should be considered as one of the most important criteria for cochlear implant candidate selection.