The Effect of Static Force on Round Window Stimulation with the Direct Acoustic Cochlea Stimulator.

The Effect of Static Force on Round Window Stimulation with the Direct Acoustic Cochlea Stimulator.
Hear Res. 2012 Dec 28;
Authors: Maier H, Salcher R, Schwab B, Lenarz T
Abstract
The Direct Acoustic Cochlea Stimulator Partial Implant (DACS PI, Phonak Acoustic Implants SA, Switzerland) is intended to stimulate the cochlea by a conventional stapedotomy piston that is crimped onto the DACS PI artificial incus. An alternative approach to the round window (RW) is successfully done with other devices, having the advantage of being also independent of the existence of middle ear structure (e.g. ossicles). Here the possibility of stimulating the RW with the DACS actuator is investigated including the impact of static force on sound transmission to the cochlea. The maximum equivalent sound pressure output with RW stimulation was determined experimentally in fresh human temporal bones. Experiments were performed in analogy to the ASTM standard (F2504.24930-1) method for the output determination of implantable middle ear hearing devices (IMEHDs) in human cadaveric temporal bones (TBs). ASTM compliant temporal bones were stimulated with a prosthesis having a spherical tip (∅ 0.5mm) attached to the actuator. The stimulation was performed perpendicular to the round window membrane (RWM) at varying position relative to the RW and the resulting static force on the RW membrane was determined. At each position the displacement output of the DACS PI actuator ...

Source: Hearing Research - December 28, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Maier H, Salcher R, Schwab B, Lenarz T Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research