Early Clinical Results of the Eestem System, a Totally Implantable Middle Ear Device, for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Skull Base ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (S 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleftherios Savvas ◽  
Jan Maurer
2004 ◽  
Vol 131 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Chen ◽  
Douglas D. Backous ◽  
Moisés A. Arriaga ◽  
Renee Garvin ◽  
Deborah Kobylek ◽  
...  

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 946
Author(s):  
Dong Ho Shin

This report describes the design of a new piezoelectric transducer for round window (RW)-driven middle ear implants. The transducer consists of a piezoelectric element, gold-coated copper bellows, silicone elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS), metal cylinder (tungsten), and titanium housing. The piezoelectric element is fixed to the titanium housing and mechanical resonance is generated by the interaction of the bellows, PDMS, and tungsten cylinder. The dimensions of PDMS and the tungsten cylinder with output characteristics suitable for compensation of sensorineural hearing loss were derived by mechanical vibrational analysis (equivalent mechanical model and finite element analysis (FEA)). Based on the results of FEA, the RW piezoelectric transducer was implemented, and bench tests were performed under no-load conditions to confirm the output characteristics. The transducer generates an average displacement of 219.6 nm in the flat band (0.1–1 kHz); the resonance frequency is 2.3 kHz. To evaluate the output characteristics, the response was compared to that of an earlier transducer. When driven by the same voltage (6 Vp), the flat band displacement averaged 30 nm larger than that of the other transducer, and no anti-resonance was noted. Therefore, we expect that the new transducer can serve as an output device for hearing aids, and that it will improve speech recognition and treat high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss more effectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Barbara ◽  
Luigi Volpini ◽  
Chiara Filippi ◽  
Francesca Atturo ◽  
Simonetta Monini

1998 ◽  
Vol 107 (10) ◽  
pp. 876-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiharu Ohno ◽  
Yoshihiro Ohashi ◽  
Hideki Okamoto ◽  
Yoshikazu Sugiura ◽  
Yoshiaki Nakai

The effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) was studied to elucidate its role in the pathogenesis of otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss. The PAF alone did not induce a reduction of ciliary activity of the cultured middle ear mucosa. However, a dose-dependent decrease in ciliary activity was observed in the presence of the medium containing both PAF and macrophages. Intravenous injection of PAF did not induce dysfunction of the mucociliary system or morphologic changes of epithelium in the tubotympanum, but cytoplasmic vacuolization and ballooning were observed in the inner ear within 1 hour after injection of PAF. In contrast, intratympanic injection of PAF induced mucociliary dysfunction and some pathologic changes in the tubotympanum. Intratympanic inoculation of PAF induced no pathologic findings in the inner ear. These results suggest that PAF is at least partially involved in the pathogenesis of certain middle ear diseases such as otitis media with effusion. Additionally, PAF might be involved in the pathogenesis of some types of unexplained sensorineural hearing loss.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-528
Author(s):  
Lorne S. Parnes ◽  
Brian F. McCabe

This study underscores the importance of considering a perilymph fistula, an abnormal communication between the inner and middle ear, in any child with a progressive sensorineural hearing loss. A concomitant complaint of intermittent dizziness or observed spells of imbalance (56%) is another indication of the disease. Six of 16 patients (37.5%) with proven fistulas were less than 2 years of age at the onset of symptoms. Unless the fistula is identified and repaired by grafting, the ear may become totally deaf. This would be disastrous in the presence of bilateral fistulas, which occur commonly in children (56% of patients had symptoms of bilateral disease). Our experience in recognizing and treating fistulas and thereby saving and restoring hearing is described.


1997 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Maniglia ◽  
Wen H. Ko ◽  
Steven L. Garverick ◽  
Hassan Abbass ◽  
Michael Kane ◽  
...  

A semi-implantable middle ear electromagnetic hearing device (SIMEHD) is proposed for limited clinical trial in adult patients to evaluate the implantable hearing device for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigational device exemption (IDE) approval has been granted (May 1996) for clinical trials. The implant unit has been evaluated acutely and chronically in animals (cats) with excellent results. Five cats undergoing chronic implantation were allowed to survive an average of 9.6 months, showing that the SIMEHD is biocompatible, functional and without untoward complications. All implant units recovered from the cats were functional, except for wire breakage of the internal antenna. A new antenna was redesigned for human implantation. The SIMEHD system consists of an external and internal unit. The external unit consists of a microphone, audio amplifier, modulator, radio frequency (RF) amplifier, antenna and battery. The internal unit is composed of a receiving antenna, hybrid electronic circuit, air core driving coil, and a target magnet cemented to the incus. All materials in contact with the body are biocompatible and expected to survive indefinitely. The implant unit is miniaturized and manufactured with existing fabrication technology by our industrial collaborator, Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd. The specific aims and major tasks of the proposed research are: a) to evaluate reliability, safety and efficacy of the SIMEHD system in a selected group of patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, due mainly to presbycusis or aging of the inner ear; and b) to obtain objective and subjective evaluation of audiologic and psychoacoustic performance as compared to the acoustic hearing aid. This paper describes the design, illustrates the actual device (newest prototype) and details the technique for surgical implantation in the attic and mastoid antrum in humans.


1997 ◽  
Vol 100 (7) ◽  
pp. 740-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masafumi Sakagami ◽  
Hiroshi Ogasawara ◽  
Michiko Node ◽  
Toru Seo ◽  
Yasuo Mishiro

1973 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Gacek

Since the risk of sensorineural hearing loss from persistent chronic otitis media and mastoiditis is greater than the risk to loss of labyrinthine function from carefully performed surgery, it is felt that the best treatment for chronic suppurative middle ear disease in an only-hearing ear is surgical removal of disease. Between the years 1961 to 1970 14 cases of chronic otitis media and mastoiditis in only-hearing ears were treated surgically at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Five cases presented with resistant foul otorrhea, while five patients presented with increasing hearing loss and four with vertigo. The patients with hearing loss and vertigo were subjected to surgery at the earliest possible date. Wide-field surgical exposure of the mastoid and middle ear spaces with thorough removal of diseased tissue was carried out. Particular attention to avoid injury to the labyrinth, either directly or indirectly, must be kept in mind and it is recommended that surgery in only-hearing ears be performed by only the most experienced and capable otologic surgeon. All 14 ears have remained dry after surgery. Hearing was significantly improved in ten cases, while two were unchanged and two were made worse, as regards the conductive loss only. In all 14 cases postoperative discrimination scores were normal, so that even those cases that did not achieve serviceable hearing levels from surgery were able to use amplification. The results in this series confirm the feeling that carefully performed and timed surgery is effective in controlling chronic suppurative disease, while preserving function in only-hearing ears.


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