Minimally traumatic surgical techniques and atraumatic electrodes have led to an increasing number of individuals with preserved acoustic hearing in the implanted ear allowing for combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS). Although we have learned a great deal about cochlear implantation with hearing preservation over the past decade and the associated benefit for speech understanding and spatial hearing, there is much to be learned about the integration of combined EAS. In fact, despite the increasing incidence of hearing preservation, we have little empirical understanding about factors driving this benefit and the clinical management of cochlear implant (CI) recipients with binaural acoustic hearing. The latter point is one of critical importance given that all three FDA approved CI systems promote atraumatic electrodes for hearing preservation and each has integrated hearing aid (HA) circuitry within the implant sound processor. This proposal aims to provide the first dataset explaining the basic underlying mechanisms responsible for EAS benefit. This is important for us to understand the way in which the auditory system is able to integrate information from two very distinctive modalities. Further the outcomes of this proposal will provide data-driven guidance for the clinical management of EAS patients.
We aim to provide the data necessary to approach audiologic and otologic management of the EAS patient within the framework of personalized medicine - taking into account individual characteristics and potentially predictive EAS variables beyond that offered by the EAS variables beyond that offered by the current one size fits all approach.

Public Health Relevance

In recent years, we have observed an increased incidence of acoustic hearing preservation with cochlear implantation resulting both from the widespread adoption of minimally traumatic surgical techniques and FDA approval of atraumatic electrodes and hybrid electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) implant systems. Despite the prevalence of cochlear implant (CI) recipients with hearing preservation, we have little scientific understanding about 1) factors responsible for the benefit associated with combined EAS, and 2) the clinical management of CI recipients with preserved acoustic hearing. This proposal aims to provide the first dataset explaining the basic underlying mechanisms responsible for EAS benefit and to provide data-driven guidance for the clinical management of EAS patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC009404-08
Application #
9108944
Study Section
Auditory System Study Section (AUD)
Program Officer
Donahue, Amy
Project Start
2008-07-01
Project End
2020-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
079917897
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37232
Gifford, René H; Loiselle, Louise; Natale, Sarah et al. (2018) Speech Understanding in Noise for Adults With Cochlear Implants: Effects of Hearing Configuration, Source Location Certainty, and Head Movement. J Speech Lang Hear Res 61:1306-1321
Yawn, Robert J; O'Connell, Brendan P; Dwyer, Robert T et al. (2018) Bilateral Cochlear Implantation Versus Bimodal Hearing in Patients With Functional Residual Hearing: A Within-subjects Comparison of Audiologic Performance and Quality of Life. Otol Neurotol 39:422-427
Wanna, George B; O'Connell, Brendan P; Francis, David O et al. (2018) Predictive factors for short- and long-term hearing preservation in cochlear implantation with conventional-length electrodes. Laryngoscope 128:482-489
Gifford, René H; Dorman, Michael F (2018) Bimodal Hearing or Bilateral Cochlear Implants? Ask the Patient. Ear Hear :
Davis, Timothy J; Gifford, René H (2018) Spatial Release From Masking in Adults With Bilateral Cochlear Implants: Effects of Distracter Azimuth and Microphone Location. J Speech Lang Hear Res 61:752-761
Gifford, René H; Davis, Timothy J; Sunderhaus, Linsey W et al. (2017) Combined Electric and Acoustic Stimulation With Hearing Preservation: Effect of Cochlear Implant Low-Frequency Cutoff on Speech Understanding and Perceived Listening Difficulty. Ear Hear 38:539-553
O'Connell, Brendan P; Holder, Jourdan T; Dwyer, Robert T et al. (2017) Intra- and Postoperative Electrocochleography May Be Predictive of Final Electrode Position and Postoperative Hearing Preservation. Front Neurosci 11:291
Dorman, Michael F; Gifford, Rene H (2017) Speech Understanding in Complex Listening Environments by Listeners Fit With Cochlear Implants. J Speech Lang Hear Res 60:3019-3026
Loiselle, Louise H; Dorman, Michael F; Yost, William A et al. (2016) Using ILD or ITD Cues for Sound Source Localization and Speech Understanding in a Complex Listening Environment by Listeners With Bilateral and With Hearing-Preservation Cochlear Implants. J Speech Lang Hear Res 59:810-8
Sheffield, Sterling W; Simha, Michelle; Jahn, Kelly N et al. (2016) The Effects of Acoustic Bandwidth on Simulated Bimodal Benefit in Children and Adults with Normal Hearing. Ear Hear 37:282-8

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