Conservation of hearing and protection of hair cells in cochlear implant patients' with residual hearing

This review covers the molecular mechanisms involved in hair cell and hearing losses which can result from trauma generated during the process of cochlear implantation and the contributions of both the intrinsic and extrinsic cell death signaling pathways in producing these trauma/inflammation induced losses. Application of soft surgical techniques to conserve hearing and protect auditory sensory cells during the process of cochlear implantation surgery and insertion of the electrode array during the process of cochlear implantation are reviewed and discussed. The role of drug therapy and mode of drug delivery for the conservation of a cochlear implant patient's residual hearing is presented and discussed.