ResultsThe postoperative hearing and speech performance varied among the subjects. Accordingto the hierarchic assessment, all eight subjects approached the primary level of effective audibility, with an average implanted hearing threshold of 43.8 ± 10.2 dB HL. Five subjects(62.5%) attained the level of improved speech recognition, one (12.5%) reached the levelof effective speech, and none of the subjects (0.0%) achieved effective communication.