199
Views
11
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Towards understanding the specifics of cochlear hearing loss: A modelling approach

Pages S10-S15 | Received 27 Jun 2008, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

It is well known that two patients suffering from a sensorineural hearing loss with similar audiograms can benefit significantly differently from amplified hearing even if the same settings of the hearing aids are used. The origin of this problem is complex but one part can be caused by the diagnosis itself; all inner-ear hearing losses are assumed similar. Such hypothesis is a simplification that probably leads to suboptimal hearing-aid fitting. For a better understanding of the signal degeneration caused by a cochlear lesion a model layout of the signal transmission in the peripheral hearing organ is presented. This model differentiates between processes in the inner ear caused by the outer hair cells, the inner hair cells, and the endocochlear potential driving the system. The model is intended to predict alteration of the signal caused by different types of cochlear lesions. Ultimately, the model may lead to improved hearing aids and fittings.

Abbreviations
AN=

auditory nerve

DPOAE=

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

ECochG=

Electrocochleography

EP=

Endocochlear potentials

IHC=

Inner hair cells

OHC=

Outer hair cells

TW=

Travelling wave

Abbreviations
AN=

auditory nerve

DPOAE=

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

ECochG=

Electrocochleography

EP=

Endocochlear potentials

IHC=

Inner hair cells

OHC=

Outer hair cells

TW=

Travelling wave

Sumario

Es bien sabido que dos pacientes que padecen de una hipoacusia sensorineural con audiogramas similares, pueden beneficiarse de manera significativamente diferente con la amplificación auditiva incluso con los mismos ajustes en sus auxiliares auditivos. El origen de este problema es complejo pero una parte puede ser causada por el propio diagnóstico; todas las pérdidas auditivas del oído interno se presumen como similares. Esta hipótesis es una simplificación que probablemente conduce a una adaptación sub-óptima de los auxiliares auditivos. Para una mejor comprensión de la degeneración de la señal causada por una lesión coclear se presenta el diseño de un modelo de transmisión de la señal en el órgano auditivo periférico. Este modelo hace la diferenciación entre los procesos del oído interno realizados por las células ciliadas externas, las internas y el potencial endococlear que maneja al sistema. Se concibe el modelo para predecir la alteración de la señal causada por diferentes tipos de lesiones cocleares. A la larga, el modelo puede llevar a mejorar los auxiliares auditivos y su adaptación.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.