Importance of cochlear health for implant function

• Published in: Hearing research Vol. 322; pp. 77 - 88
• Main Authors: Pfingst, Bryan E., Zhou, Ning, Colesa, Deborah J., Watts, Melissa M., Strahl, Stefan B., Garadat, Soha N., Schvartz-Leyzac, Kara C., Budenz, Cameron L., Raphael, Yehoash, Zwolan, Teresa A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation; Animals; Auditory Pathways - physiopathology; Auditory Threshold; Cochlea - innervation; Cochlear Implantation - instrumentation; Cochlear Implants; Electric Stimulation; Humans; Persons With Hearing Impairments - psychology; Persons With Hearing Impairments - rehabilitation; Prosthesis Design; Speech Perception; P2; Ad; N1; BDNF; IHC; MPI; NT-3; EABR; ECAP; T level; NTF-3; TI; AAV; GDT; SNR; C level; CUNY sentences; ASM; SGN; DPI; MDT
• ISSN: 0378-5955; 1878-5891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2014.09.009

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. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled <Lasker Award>. •Cochlear implant function varies from site to site along the electrode array.•Cochlear health affects multipulse integration and ECAP growth functions.•Measures of cochlear health reflect conditions important for speech perception.•Neurotrophin gene therapy helps preserve and restore neural health.