Three-dimensional models of cochlear implants: A review of their development and how they could support management and maintenance of cochlear implant performance

ABSTRACT

Three-dimensional (3D) computational modeling of the auditory periphery forms an integral part of modern-day research in cochlear implants (CIs). These models consist of a volume conduction description of implanted stimulation electrodes and the current distribution around these, coupled with auditory nerve fiber models. Cochlear neural activation patterns can then be predicted for a given input stimulus. The objective of this article is to present the context of 3D modeling within the field of CIs, the different models, and approaches to models that have been developed over the years, as well as the applications and potential applications of these models. The process of development of 3D models is discussed, and the article places specific emphasis on the complementary roles of generic models and user-specific models, as the latter is important for translation of these models into clinical application.

KEYWORDS:

• 3D cochlear modeling
• neural model
• user-specific models
• volume conduction model

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the postgraduate students in Bioengineering at the University of Pretoria for their assistance in amassing some of the literature from which this review was written. They are: Tiaan Malherbe, Larry Schmidt, Alex Oloo, Johannes Myburgh, Liza Blignaut, Liezl Gross, Johanie Roux, Riaze Asvat, Rene Baron, Werner Badenhorst, Heinrich Crous, and Flavio de Luca.

Notes

¹ 3D software platform for visualizing, manipulating, and understanding biological image data. http://www.fei.com/software/amira-3d-for-life-sciences/.

² Technical computing language. http://www.mathworks.com/.

³ Multi-physics finite element analysis software. http://www.comsol.com/.

⁴ Image stack obtained from collaborators at Epstein Laboratories at the University of California San Fransisco.