Electric stimulation complements functional residual hearing in partial deafness.

Conclusion: Candidates for hearing preservation cochlear implant (CI) surgery can be divided into: those who benefit from electrical complement (EC) to remaining hearing and don't require additional amplification, those using a combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) and those with the least amount of residual hearing who benefit from electric-only stimulation (ES) provided via medium length electrode.

Objectives: Patients with a borderline level of residual hearing may benefit from a hybrid electric stimulation and acoustic amplification (EAS) after a cochlear implantation procedure aimed at hearing preservation. However, there is another group of individuals who possess substantial low-frequency residual hearing that is still functional.

A new cochlear implant electrode design for preservation of residual hearing: a temporal bone study.

Conclusions: Success in conservation of residual hearing after cochlear implantation has benefited patients with high levels of residual low frequency hearing who were not previously considered for conventional cochlear implantation. Technological developments play a key role in minimizing trauma to the cochlea during placement of electrodes.

Objectives: The Nucleus Straight Research Array (SRA) has been designed and developed as a collaboration project between our centre and Cochlear Ltd with the objective of minimizing trauma to the cochlea with insertion of the electrode via the round window.

Bilateral electric stimulation from auditory brainstem implants in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Background: Recent developments in the field of electronic hearing prostheses have allowed for the introduction of auditory brainstem implants in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Case Report: Bilateral electric stimulation from 2 sequentially placed auditory brainstem implants was applied in a 27-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Conclusions: Results of the present case support further application of bilateral electric stimulation from auditory brainstem implants for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Results of partial deafness cochlear implantation using various electrode designs.

Nineteen adults and 9 children who received a unilateral cochlear implant between 2002 and 2007 were included in the study. All subjects were preoperatively diagnosed with significant residual hearing in low frequencies, termed as 'partial deafness', and were implanted according to a 6-step round window surgical technique for partial deafness cochlear implantation. Hearing was preserved to a great extent in the partial deafness cochlear implantation (PDCI) group.

Treatment of otological features of the oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar syndrome).

The oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia is a rare congenital malformation that is characterized by a hemifacial microsomia with ocular abnormalities and coexisting disorders in the spinal column and other organs. Characteristic features of the disease were first described by Maurice Goldenhar in 1952. A broad spectrum of hearing impairment is a result of complex malformations of the external ear, the middle ear and in some cases-the inner ear.

Treatment of otorhinolaryngological manifestations of three rare genetic syndromes: Branchio-Oculo-Facial (BOF), Ectrodactyly Ectodermal dysplasia Clefting (EEC) and focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome).

Genetic background and characteristic symptoms of three children with rare genetic syndromes: Ectrodactyly Ectodermal dysplasia Clefting (EEC), Branchio-Oculo-Facial (BOF) and focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome) were outlined. All patients presented common otorhinolaryngological features of bilateral hearing impairment and dermal problems. Diagnostic protocol and treatment strategies for all three syndromes were presented and discussed.

[Smell and taste in drug addicts].

The main objective of this study was to establish the degree of influence of various illicit drugs, taken into the body in different ways, on the senses of smell and taste. Other possible factors, that might have caused disturbances in normal functioning of both senses, were outlined. The studied group consisted of 48 drug addicts, between the age of 16 and 48 years, addicted to various illicit drugs for several years.