The Predictive Value of Preoperative Measurements of Cochlear Nerve Diameters From MRT and Postoperative Speech Perception in Adult Patients With Cochlear Implant.

Objective: The current study aims to investigate whether objective measurements of the cochlear nerve (CN), derived from preoperative MRI images, correlate with postoperative speech perception in CI patients.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University Medical Center, tertiary academic referral center.

The curvature quantification of wave I in auditory brainstem responses detects cochlear synaptopathy in human beings.

Purpose: Patients with age-related hearing loss complain often about reduced speech perception in adverse listening environment. Studies on animals have suggested that cochlear synaptopathy may be one of the primary mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. A decreased wave I amplitude in supra-threshold auditory brainstem response (ABR) can diagnose this pathology non-invasively.

Transimpedance Matrix Can Be Used to Estimate Electrode Positions Intraoperatively and to Monitor Their Positional Changes Postoperatively in Cochlear Implant Patients.

Objective: Accurate positioning of the electrode array during cochlear implant (CI) surgery is crucial for achieving optimal hearing outcomes. Traditionally, postoperative radiological imaging has been used to assess electrode position. Transimpedance matrix (TIM) measurements have also emerged as a promising method for assessing electrode position.

Automated detection of electrically evoked stapedius reflexes (eSR) during cochlear implantation.

Introduction: In cochlear implantation, objective fitting methods are needed to optimize audiological results in small children or patients with poor compliance. Intraoperatively measured electrically evoked stapedius reflexes (eSR) can be used as a marker for the patient's discomfort level. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an automated detection method for eSR and to compare it to the detection rate of the surgeon and independent observers.

Three-dimensional force analysis of surgical manipulations at the long process of the incus.

Purpose: Surgical manipulation with application of inappropriate force may damage middle ear structures leading to hearing loss. This work analyzes the forces applied in simulated otosurgical exercises in a laboratory set-up by measuring the spatial components of applied forces with objective assessment criteria. With these criteria, the individual force characteristics applied by the surgeon can be quantified and an objective feedback can be given about their surgical maneuvers.

On the origin of ear clicks during deglutition or pressure equalization.

To explore the origin of clicking sounds in the ear during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which are interpreted differently in the literature. Experimental study at a tertiary referral centre. Acoustic phenomena during a forced opening test of the Eustachian tube (ET) were studied in a temporal bone model.

"Physiological" Ear Clicking: Its Origin and Potential Usability as a Test Tool for the Eustachian Tube Function.

Objective: To explore the origin of "physiological" ear clicks during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which, in contrast to disturbing frequent clicks under pathologic conditions, mostly remain unnoticed by the patient.

Study Design: Clinical experimental study at a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Ear clicks were recorded by a microphone sealing the external ear canal parallel to endoscopic or manometric evaluations of the Eustachian tube function.

Can nasal decongestants improve eustachian tube function?

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nasal decongestants on eustachian tube (ET) opening.

Study Design: A prospective nonrandomized study.

Setting: A tertiary referral center.

Would an endosteal CI-electrode make sense? Comparison of the auditory nerve excitability from different stimulation sites using ESRT measurements and mathematical models.

Unlabelled: Regarding potential endosteal cochlear implant electrodes, the primary goal of this paper is to compare different intra- and extra-cochlear stimulation sites in terms of current strengths needed for stimulating the auditory nerve. Our study was performed during routine cochlear implantation using needle electrodes for electric stimulation and by visually recording electrically elicited stapedius reflexes (ESRT) as a measure for the stimulus transfer. Of course this rather simple setup only allows rough estimations, which, however, may provide further arguments whether or not to proceed with the concept of an endosteal electrode.

Experiments on the mechanism of underwater hearing.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that underwater sound perception is realized by the middle ear rather than by bone conduction, at least in shallow water conditions.

Objective: To prove whether underwater sound perception is effected by bone conduction or by conduction via the middle ear.

Methods: Five divers, breathing through snorkels, were tested in a swimming pool, to determine whether a sound was louder when the acoustic source placed was in front of the head in comparison with a lateral application facing the ear region.