Mechanical Effects of Cochlear Implant on Acoustic Hearing

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2019 Jun;66(6):1609-1617. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2018.2876402. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Abstract

Residual hearing loss in cochlear implant users is investigated using the mechanical-human-cochlear model. Hearing loss due to stiffening of the round window increases significantly as input frequencies decrease from 3 kHz to 1 kHz but remains constant at lower frequencies, whereas loss due to the presence of an electrode insert becomes significantly higher at lower frequencies ([Formula: see text] kHz). The latter also shifts the characteristic frequency map toward the basal end of the cochlea. In the region away from the end of the electrode insert, cochlear function recovers, but the user still suffers from hearing loss caused by round window stiffening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Basilar Membrane / physiopathology
  • Cochlear Implants / adverse effects*
  • Hearing / physiology
  • Hearing Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Hearing Disorders / surgery
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Round Window, Ear / physiopathology*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Speech Perception / physiology*