Wk2a - CI's and Ear Anatomy Flashcards
What is the most common type of hearing loss?
Sensorineural
Where does SNHL originate?
Cochlear hair cells, which do not regenerate
Which part of the anatomy needs to be functional in order for a CI to be effective?
The Auditory Nerve
CI’s electrically stimulate the AN across the ______ array
Tonotopic
How do CI’s work?
By artificially stimulating the auditory system with electrical current, bypassing the outer, middle, and inner ear functions.
- in this way, it achieves the sensation of hearing
Do CI’s restore normal hearing?
No - they provide the “sensation” of hearing. They try to replicate the function of the hair cells, but this is not “all the way there” yet.
Describe the “internal” and “external” components of CIs
Internal - implanted portion/ electrodes
External - speech processor and induction coil
How does the output of CI’s differ from hearing aids?
- Both detect sound
- The CI output is electrical, not acoustic.
- HA’s amplify sound
- HA’s send sound through normal channels of system; CI’s bypass the outer, middle, and inner ear
What are the 4 components of CIs?
Microphone (located in speech processor)
Transmitter coil (held against head by magnet)
Receiver coil (directs info from external component to electrode)
Electrode
Describe the classical CI candidate
Bilat severe to profound SNHL
How long do CI surgeries usually take?
2-3 hours; consist of placing electrode array into cochlea and internal component behind ear; released the same day (children) - adults c/ complications may be kept overnight
Will patients start hearing immediately after surgery?
No - usually wait a month to receive external transmitter to allow for swelling to decrease and wound to heal
- 1 month post-surgery, sound processor is fitted and pt is instructed
Where do CIs primarily generate action potentials?
Spiral ganglion - signals are sent by AN to brain where it recognizes signals as sounds.
Where do we find the modiolus?
Middle of cochlea (which takes 2.5 turns around it)
Does the electrode reach the apex of the cochlea?
Which compartment does it lie in?
No - approx 1.x turns (out of 2.5)
Electrode lays in the scala tympani.
What are the 2 types of electrode arrays (based on location)?
- Lateral-wall electrode array (straight electrode; less traumatic, deeper insertion; lies closer to lateral wall of cochlea)
- Perimodiolar electrode array (also in scala tympani; close to modiolus; “natural” curvature; advantageous b/c lies closer to spiral ganglion, but requires more pressure/trauma to be inserted)
- further from spiral ganglion means more current is needed to stimulate it
- perimodiolar reaches less of the spiral ganglions b/c not as deep, therefore lat wall reaches more lower frequencies
Which electrode array can reach deeper? Does it require more or less current than the other option?
Lateral-wall electrode array
- needs more current b/c further from spiral ganglion
Which electrode array has more convexity?
Perimodiolar electrode array
What type of acoustical changes is the outer ear used for?
Spectral filtering (e.g. elevation) and amplification in the canal