Translational research around five categories of CI

Abstract

Five categories of cochlear implants are introduced: The ‘classic CI’, the ‘combined CI’ – which can be combining a CI based on electric stimulation with acoustic stimulation (EAS) or with mechanical stimulation (EMS) or with electrical stimulation of the vestibular system (VICI) –, the ‘individualised CI’, the ‘augmented CI’ and the ‘totally implantable CI’. The translational research activities leading to and within these categories have been, are and will be numerous and are the subject of the compendium for which this paper is the concluding chapter. Early translational research has resulted in the ‘classic CI’ in 1994. From then on translational research enabled the developments respectively the new indications and reimbursement of CI-systems for bilateral CIs, CI in single sided deafness, the auditory brainstem implant, speech coding and signal processing advances, electrophysiologic measurements for evaluation of cochlear health, all within the classic CI category. Starting points for the four newer categories of CI are either ideas of professionals treating hearing loss or of CI developers. The translational research performed also triggered research that led and leads to improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of hearing.

Graphical Abstract

Chinese abstract

在为CI使用者带来CI技术的最大益处方面, 与耳蜗解剖结构匹配的电极阵列的最佳放置起着关键作用。比以往任何时候都更清楚的是, 在需要不同设计的电极阵列的人群中, 人工耳蜗的解剖结构差异很大。在正常解剖型耳蜗类别中, 尺寸变化巨大, 证明MED-EL的FLEX电极阵列提供六种不同的长度是必须的。在畸形的内耳类别中, 解剖学差异很大, 这使MED-EL能够根据手术医生的要求定制设计电极阵列。感谢Bredberg教授、Beltrame教授、Sennaroglu教授、Gavilan教授、Plontke教授、Lenarz教授和Müller教授, 以及其他几位, 为满足耳蜗各种需求的独特电极设计提出的宝贵建议。本章展示了MED-EL与来自世界各地的CI外科医生一起进行的转化研究工作。这些研究导致为有特殊耳蜗需求的患者植入各种电极阵列设计。

Keywords:

• Cochlear implants
• categorisation
• translational research
• classic cochlear implant
• eas
• individualised cochlear implant
• augmented cochlear implant
• totally implantable cochlear implant

Acknowledgment

Co-operative research activities have received valuable funding from the EU and national research funding agencies. In Austria the biggest contributions came from the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the FFG and the C. Doppler Society.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).