Abstract. Partial deafness is characterised by normal or slightly elevated thresholds in the lowfrequency band with nearly total deafness in higher frequencies. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the low-frequency hearing of partially deafened patients could be preserved after cochlear implant surgery applying Med-El Combi 40+ with partially inserted electrode. Cochlear implantation was performed in six partially deafened patients. Changes in auditory thresholds using pure tone audiometry recordings were measured to determine the extent of preservation of low-frequency hearing. Low-frequency hearing was preserved to the large extent in all patients. Preservation of lowfrequency hearing creates the opportunity for application of electric and acoustic stimulation in the partially deafened. It could provide speech comprehension better than with either modality alone. Obtained results can be considered as the first step towards the application of cochlear implant in the treatment of partial deafness.
