Clinical evaluation of cochlear implant sound coding taking into account conjectural masking functions, MP3000™.

Efficacy of the SPEAK and ACE coding strategies was compared with that of a new strategy, MP3000™, by 37 European implant centers including 221 subjects. The SPEAK and ACE strategies are based on selection of 8-10 spectral components with the highest levels, while MP3000 is based on the selection of only 4-6 components, with the highest levels relative to an estimate of the spread of masking. The pulse rate per component was fixed.

A surgical technique for implantation of the vibrant soundbridge middle ear implant in dogs.

Objective: To report a surgical implantation of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant in dogs.

Study Design: Pilot study.

Animals: Dogs (n=3).

Effect of changing pulse rate on profile parameters of perceptual thresholds and loudness comfort levels and relation to ECAP thresholds in recipients of the Nucleus CI24RE device.

The Nucleus CI24RE ‘Freedom' device offers higher stimulation rates and lower noise levels in action potential measurements (ECAPs) than previous devices. A study including ten European implant teams showed that the effect of changes in rate from 250 to 3500 pulses per second on tilt and curvature of the T and C profiles is insignificant. When changing rate one may change the levels at all electrodes by the same amount.

Speech perception performance as a function of stimulus pulse rate and processing strategy preference for the Cochlear Nucleus CI24RE device: relation to perceptual threshold and loudness comfort profiles.

Current cochlear implants can operate at high pulse rates. The effect of increasing pulse rate on speech performance is not yet clear. Habituation to low rates may affect the outcome.

Treatment of age-related hearing loss in dogs with the vibrant soundbridge middle ear implant: short-term results in 3 dogs.

Background: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), or presbycusis, is the most common form of acquired hearing loss in dogs. Middle ear implants have been used successfully in people with ARHL who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids.

Hypothesis: Audibility improves in dogs with ARHL after implantation of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant.