Sound localization and speech intelligibility were assessed in 5 patients implanted bilaterally with Medel C40+ or C40 cochlear implant (CI) systems. The minimum audible angle (MAA) around the head horizontal plane was bilateral CI using white noise bursts of 1000 ms duration presented from a loudspeaker mounted on rotating boom compared MAA age-matched normal hearing controls. Spatial discrimination found to be good front back near-normal values (patients: 3–8°, controls: 1–4°). In...

The emerging technique of real-time fMRI neurofeedback trains individuals to regulate their own brain activity via feedback from an measure neural activity. Optimum presentation has yet be determined, particularly when working with clinical populations. To this end, we compared continuous against intermittent in subjects tinnitus. Fourteen participants tinnitus completed the whole experiment consisting nine runs (3 × 3 days). Prior neurofeedback, target region was localized within auditory...

Abstract Sensory hair cells located in the organ of Corti are essential for cochlear mechanosensation. Their loss is irreversible humans resulting permanent hearing loss. The development therapeutic interventions requires fundamental knowledge about similarities and potential differences between animal models human as well establishment cell based-assays. Here we analyze gene protein expression developing inner ear a temporal window spanning from week 8 to 12 post conception, when become...

In this prospective multicenter study, tinnitus loudness and tinnitus-related distress were investigated in 174 cochlear implant (CI) candidates who underwent CI surgery at a Swiss center. All subjects participated two session, one preoperatively 6 months after device activation. both sessions, was assessed using visual analogue scale standardized questionnaire. The data compared with unaided pre- postoperative pure tone thresholds, speech reception scores. 71.8% of the reported...

3D-printed temporal bone models can potentially provide a cost-effective alternative to cadaver surgery that be manufactured locally at the training department. The objective of this study was create model suitable for mastoidectomy using entry level and commercially available print technologies, enabling individuals, without prior experience on 3D-printing, manufacture their own basic training.Expert technical professionals an experienced otosurgeon identified best material replicating...

Human auditory nerve afferents consist of two separate systems; one is represented by the large type I cells innervating inner hair and other small II outer cells. Type spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) constitute 96% afferent population and, in contrast to mammals, their soma pre- post-somatic segments are unmyelinated. fibers Histopathology clinical experience imply that human SGNs can persist electrically excitable without dendrites, thus lacking connection organ Corti. The biological...

Hearing loss is an important sequela of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), occurring in up to 30% survivors. The role the severity infection on hearing function and pathomorphological consequences cochlea secondary PM have not been investigated date. Using a well-established model PM, we systematically functional outcome long-term fate neurosensory cells cochlea, i.e., hair spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), with focus their tonotopic distribution. Intracisternal infant rats increasing inocula...

Age-related hearing (ARHL) loss affects a large part of the human population with major impact on our aging societies. Yet, underlying mechanisms are not understood, and no validated therapy or prevention exists. NADPH oxidases (NOX), important sources reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cochlea might therefore be involved pathogenesis ARHL. Here we investigate ARHL mouse model. Wild type mice showed early cochlear integrity, while animals deficient NOX subunit p22phox remained unaffected up to...

ABSTRACT Loss of inner ear hair cells leads to incurable balance and hearing disorders because these sensory do not effectively regenerate in humans. A potential starting point for therapy would be the stimulation quiescent progenitor within damaged ear. Inner progenitor/stem cells, which have been described rodent ears, principal candidates such an approach. Despite identification cell populations human fetal cochlea adult spiral ganglion, no proliferative with capacity generate reported...

Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) defined as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 14 or 15 has shown contradictory short- and long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to correlate intra-cranial injuries (ICI) on CT scan neurocognitive tests at admission complaints after 1 year.Two hundred five patients with MTBI underwent a were examined tests. After year assessed by phone interviews.The in 51% the showed significant deficits; there no difference for GCS 14-15, nor between ICI without. had...

Abstract Background Stem cells with the ability to form clonal floating colonies (spheres) were recently isolated from neonatal murine spiral ganglion. To further examine features of inner ear-derived neural stem and their derivatives, we investigated effects leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a neurokine that has been shown promote self-renewal other affect glial cell differentiation. Results LIF-treatment led dose-dependent increase number neurons in cultures sphere-derived cells. Based on...

The temporal bone is ideal for low-dose CT because of its intrinsic high contrast. aim this study was to retrospectively evaluate image quality and radiation doses a new versus standard high-dose pediatric protocol review dosimetric data from the literature.Image were compared 38 (80 kV/90-110 mAs) 16 (140 kV/170 scans infants 5-year-old children. visualization 23 middle inner ear structures subjectively graded by 3 neuroradiologists otologists using 5-point scale with scores 1-2 indicating...

The peripheral hearing process taking place in the cochlea mainly depends on two distinct sensory cell types: mechanosensitive hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. first respond to mechanical stimulation exerted by sound pressure waves their bundles releasing neurotransmitters thereby activating latter. Loss of these sensorineural is associated with permanent loss. Stem cell-based approaches aiming at replacement or vitro drug testing identify potential ototoxic, otoprotective...

Neurotrophins promote neurite outgrowth of auditory neurons and may help closing the gap to cochlear implant (CI) electrodes enhance electrical hearing. The best concentrations mix neurotrophins for this nerve regrowth are unknown. Whether stimulation (ES) during is beneficial or direct axons another open question. Auditory neuron explant cultures distinct turns 6–7 days old mice were cultured four days. We tested different combinations BDNF NT-3 quantified numbers lengths neurites with an...

Novel drug release microimplants (0.8 × 1.14 mm; custom-made by Leiras, now Schering OY, Finland) of slow- and fast-release types containing either 0.9 mg beclomethasone or no at all were placed unilaterally onto the round-window membrane (RWM) 45 guinea pigs for a maximum duration 28 days. The following parameters tested on days 1, 14 after implantation: threshold levels in perilymph scala tympani, auditory brain stem responses (ABR thresholds ABR shifts), RWM morphology hair cell loss...

Abstract Due to the lack of regenerative capacity mammalian auditory epithelium, sensory hair cell loss results in permanent hearing deficit. Nevertheless, a population tissue resident stem/progenitor cells has been recently described. Identification methods trigger their activity could lead exploitation potential therapeutically. Here we validate use transgenic mice reporting cycle progression (FUCCI) and stemness (Lgr5-GFP), as valuable tool identify regulators re-entry supporting within...

This paper presents a Fabry-Perot fiber tip sensor based on an air-liquid filled cavity.The cavity is sealed off by thin gold coated membrane of parylene C, between 300 and 350 nm, creating particularly flexible diaphragm.In order to retrieve track the interest from other cavities formed within tip, signal processing feedback performed inverse fast Fourier transform.The experimental has been manufactured tested for temperature, giving length sensitivities 6.1 nm/°C 9.6 temperature increase...