Electro-Acoustic Stimulation
Also written as: EAS — Electro-Acoustic Stimulation
A hearing rehabilitation strategy combining low-frequency acoustic amplification with high-frequency electrical stimulation via a cochlear implant in the same ear.
Full Definition
Electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) is a hybrid approach to auditory rehabilitation in which a cochlear implant electrode array delivers electrical stimulation to the basal (high-frequency) cochlear region while a hearing aid component simultaneously provides acoustic amplification in the apical (low-frequency) region of the same ear. EAS is indicated for patients with residual low-frequency hearing but severe-to-profound high-frequency loss. The approach requires careful editorial handling, as EAS must be distinguished from binaural fitting strategies involving one implant and one contralateral hearing aid. Hyphenation of 'electro-acoustic' follows the convention of most major audiology style guides and should be retained.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate 'electro-acoustic'; do not write 'electroacoustic stimulation' as one unhyphenated word, as this departs from dominant clinical usage. Distinguish from binaural fitting with two separate devices.
In Context
- "Electro-acoustic stimulation was selected due to the patient's preserved low-frequency thresholds and precipitous high-frequency drop." — Cochlear implant candidacy report
- "Editors should retain the hyphen in 'electro-acoustic' as per the convention in cochlear implant literature." — Style guide note