Importance of cochlear health for implant function.

Importance of cochlear health for implant function.
Hear Res. 2014 Sep 24;
Authors: Pfingst BE, Zhou N, Colesa DJ, Watts MM, Strahl SB, Garadat SN, Schvartz-Leyzac KC, Budenz CL, Raphael Y, Zwolan TA
Abstract
Amazing progress has been made in providing useful hearing to hearing-impaired individuals using cochlear implants, but challenges remain. One such challenge is understanding the effects of partial degeneration of the auditory nerve, the target of cochlear implant stimulation. Here we review studies from our human and animal laboratories aimed at characterizing the health of the implanted cochlea and the auditory nerve. We use the data on cochlear and neural health to guide rehabilitation strategies. The data also motivate the development of tissue-engineering procedures to preserve or build a healthy cochlea and improve performance obtained by cochlear implant recipients or eventually replace the need for a cochlear implant.
PMID: 25261772 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Hearing Research - September 24, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: Pfingst BE, Zhou N, Colesa DJ, Watts MM, Strahl SB, Garadat SN, Schvartz-Leyzac KC, Budenz CL, Raphael Y, Zwolan TA Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research