86,826 research outputs found
Preservation of residual hearing in cochlear implantation: comparison between three different surgical techniques
No full textThe preservation of residual hearing is becoming a high priority in cochlear implant surgery. It allows
better speech understanding and ensures long-lasting and stable performance; it also allows the
possibility, in selected cases, of combining electro-acoustic stimulation in the same ear.
We present the results of a retrospective study of the conservation of residual hearing in three different
groups of patients who had undergone cochlear implantation using three different cochlear implant
electrode arrays, combined with three different surgical techniques for the cochleostomy. The study
aimed to evaluate which approach allowed greater preservation of residual hearing.
The best residual hearing preservation results (i.e. preservation in 81.8 per cent of patients) were
achieved with the Contour Advance electrode array, using the Advance Off-Stylet technique and
performing a modified anterior inferior cochleostomy; this combination enabled reduced trauma to the
lateral wall of the cochlea during electrode insertion
Comparison of speech perception performance between the Nucleus 24M e Nucleus 24 Contour Cochlear implant systems
No full textActa Otolaryngol. 2004 Dec;124(10):1155-8.
Comparison of speech perception performance between the Nucleus 24 and Nucleus 24 Contour cochlear implant systems.
Bacciu A, Pasanisi E, Vincenti V, Guida M, Barbot A, Berghenti M, Forli F, Berrettini S, Bacciu S.
SourceDepartment of Otolaryngology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. [email protected]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the 1-, 3-, and 6-month postoperative speech perception scores obtained by a group of subjects who received the new perimodiolar array (Nucleus Contour) cochlear implant with those obtained by a group of subjects implanted with the straight electrodes of the previous-generation Nucleus 24 device.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The speech performance of 10 postlingually deafened adults implanted with the Nucleus Contour device was compared with that of matched controls who received the Nucleus 24 model. Objective measures included word and sentence speech recognition scores.
RESULTS: Patients implanted with the Nucleus Contour device obtained significantly higher word and sentence recognition scores after short-term use of the implant compared to those obtained by patients implanted with the Nucleus 24 model.
CONCLUSION: Further long-term studies are required to determine whether the Nucleus Contour CI recipients continue to improve over time
Lo screening audiologico neonatale e il percorso diagnostico in età precoce nella Regione Toscana.
No full textLo screening audiologico neonatale e il percorso diagnostico in età precoce nella Regione Toscan
Exploring the genetic landscape of otosclerosis: current understanding and future perspectives
No full textOtosclerosis is characterised by abnormal bone remodelling in the otic capsule, leading to progressive hearing loss. Unlike many genetic disorders, the causative genes for otosclerosis remain largely unidentified despite extensive research using linkage analysis and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Inheritance patterns in otosclerosis suggest a multifactorial model involving genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, a model applied to other common diseases, such as age-related hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Linkage analysis has identified nine loci associated with monogenic forms of otosclerosis, yet the specific causative genes and variants remain elusive. Promising insights have emerged from GWAS, with strong associations identified for novel candidate regions, including the RELN gene. Recent studies using next generation sequencing have identified several candidate genes such as SERPINF1, ACAN, and MEPE. SERPINF1, encoding pigment epithelium-derived growth factor, is linked to regulation of angiogenesis in bone remodelling. ACAN, associated with the OTSC1 locus, encodes aggrecan a crucial component of the extracellular matrix in cartilage, showing a range of variants with varied effect sizes and frequencies. MEPE, involved in bone homeostasis, has been significantly associated with otosclerosis in large family-based and case-control cohorts. While considerable progress has been made in identifying potential genetic contributors, the precise genetic architecture of otosclerosis remains to be fully elucidated. An integrated approach combining genetic data and clinical information, such as audiometric testing and temporal bone imaging, is essential for a comprehensive understanding of otosclerosis
Sudden bilateral hearing loss and sporadic mitochondrial DNA deletion.
No full textSeveral studies have indicated that a number of different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations may be responsible for human pathologies. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) may be associated with known syndromes (syndromal SNHL) or represent the only manifestation of mitochondrial damage (non-syndromal hearing loss). Moreover, mtDNA alterations may be responsible for aminoglycoside-induced deafness. We describe a patient harbouring a single sporadic mtDNA deletion, who presented with sudden adult-onset bilateral, although non-simultaneous SNHL, that was partially responsive to corticosteroids. Increased values of rest, and exercise, blood lactic acid were decisive for diagnosis, prompting muscle biopsy that revealed the mtDNA deletion. The case underscores the importance of investigating a mitochondrial disease in cases of SNHL of unknown origin and points out the importance of an increased blood level of lactic acid as a screening test
Recent and future developments in cochlear implant technology: Review of the literature
No full textCochlear implant (CI) procedure and CIs have a long history filled with innovations, that have resulted in the high performing devices currently available. The development has been both rapid and remarkable and technological developments have yielded substantial gains in the possibility of communication, development of language skills, spoken words recognition and media enjoyment for the users. Multidisciplinary research among medical and engineering fields will continue to be critical in the development of new technology to increase the number candidates for this kind of hearing devices, to improve usability of the device and the results. The future of implantable auditory devices should place an emphasis on making devices accessible to patients with progressively more residual hearing, improving the safety profile and optimizing the electro-neural interface and neural stimulation, improving the usability of the device, finally leading to an improvement of the outcome and of the quality of life. The following are the main research topics and areas of development for cochlear implant technology, addressed in the paper: totally implanted devices, remote CI programming, minimizing surgical trauma, improved neural health and survival through targeted drug therapy and delivery, intraneural electrode placement and methods to enhance the neural-prosthesis interface
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