A suggested checklist and assessment guideline for clinicians that the panelists felt could be useful in evaluating patients with suspected device malfunction. Reprinted from “Cochlear Implant Soft Failures Consensus Development Conference Statement,” by T. Balkany et al., 2005, Otology & Neurotology. 26, p. 817. Copyright 2005 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Reprinted with permission.

Suggested Checklist for Assessment of Soft Failures
ADULT/OLDER CHILDREN		YOUNG CHILDREN
AUDITORY	MAPPING	BEHAVIORAL
□ atypical tinnitus	□ Changes in levels over time	□ Increase in "bad" behaviors
□ Buzzing	□ Changes in pulse wdth/dur	□ Aggressiveness
□ Roaring	□ Loss of Channels	□ Unwilling to wear device
□ Engine-like	□ Changes in impedance	□ Head hitting
□ Static	□ Shorts/open circuits	□ Inattentiveness
□ Popping		□ Regression in language/speech
□ Other
		TEACHER/THERAPIST CONCERNS
NONAUDITORY	HARDWARE	□ Intermittent Responsiveness
□ Pain over implant site	□ Replacement of all externals	□ Frequent appearance of being "off-task"
□ Pain down neck		□ Deterioration in grades/school performance
□ Shocking		□ Plateau in performance
□ Burning		□ Fails to meet appropriate expectations
□ Itching
□ Facial stim
		OTHER FACTORS
PERFORMANCE	OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT	□ Educational placement
□ Sudden drop	□ Surface potential testing	□ Type and amount of therapy
□ Decrement over time	□ Neural response measures	□ Family involvement
□ Fails to meet expected performance	□ Stimulus artifact	□ Puberty
	□ Evoked potentials	In addition, the adult checklist should be applied to a child whenever possible.
□ Intermittent performance