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January 16, 2008
New Cochlear Implant Technology Possible
How well today’s cochlear implants work varies in patients. Some may be able to hear sounds such as thunder. Others can understand speech but are not able to appreciate music. But new research could make it all possible.
The implants are surgically placed into the cochlea – the snail-shell shaped structure in the inner ear. Normally hair cells line the cochlea and convert acoustic signals into electrical signals that nerves carry to the brain. Sounds can be amplified with a hearing aid if there are some hair cells. If the hair cells are missing or damaged – which is usually associated with severe hearing problems – an implant can help replace their function.
A new study from Rutgers University found two neurotrophin proteins in the cochlea that play a big role in relaying sound messages to the brain and how these proteins operate in the cochlea. Researchers say one end of the cochlea houses faster-firing neurons that carry high pitched sound messages to the brain while the other end rich in the other neurotrophin makes those neurons slower-firing to transmit lower pitched signals.
The authors say it is possible to pump the neurotrophins into a newly-designed cochlear implant and release them through ports.
“The significance of our work lies in the fact that we can change an element in a very peripheral part of the sensory system that can have an impact all the way into the brain,” study author Robin Davis, Rutgers University, was quoted as saying.
Their findings could be important for engineers and surgeons in designing new cochlear implants.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=17885
Posted by 4HL on January 16, 2008 7:17 AM
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