A fast, stochastic, and adaptive model of auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant stimulation

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): M.J. van Gendt, J.J. Briaire, R.K. Kalkman, J.H.M. Frijns
Cochlear implants (CIs) rehabilitate hearing impairment through direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. New stimulation strategies can be evaluated using computational models. In this study, a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts auditory nerve responses to CI pulse train input was developed. A three-dimensional volume conduction and active nerve model developed at Leiden University Medical Center was extended with stochasticity, adaptation, and accommodation. This complete model includes spatial and temporal characteristics of both the cochlea and the auditory nerve. The model was validated by comparison with experimentally measured single fiber action potential responses to pulse trains published in the literature. The effects of pulse rate and pulse amplitude on spiking patterns were investigated. The modeled neural responses to CI stimulation were very similar to the single fiber action potential measurements in animal experiments. The model’s responses to pulse train stimulation with respect to spatial location were also investigated. Adaptation was stronger at the borders of the stimulated area than in the center. By combining spatial details with long-term temporal components and a broad implementation of stochasticity a comprehensive model was developed that was validated for long duration electric stimulation of a wide range of pulse rates and amplitudes. The model can be used to evaluate auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant sound coding strategies.



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A Tri-Coil Bellows-Type Round Window Transducer with Improved Frequency Characteristics for Middle-Ear Implants

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Dong Ho Shin, Ki Woong Seong, Sunil Puria, Kyu-Yup Lee, Jin-Ho Cho
A number of methods to drive the round window (RW) using a floating mass transducer (FMT) have been reported. This method has attracted attention because the FMT is relatively easy to implant in the RW niche. However, the use of an FMT to drive the RW has been proven to produce low outputs at frequencies below approximately 1 kHz. In this study, a new tri-coil bellows-type transducer (TCBT), which has excellent low frequency output and is easy to implant, is proposed. To design the frequency characteristics of the TCBT, mechanical and electrical simulations were performed, and then a comparative analysis was conducted between a floating mass type transducer (like the FMT) and a fixed type transducer (like the TCBT). The features of the proposed TCBT are as follows. First, the TCBT’s housing is fixed to the RW niche so that it does not vibrate. Second, the internal end of a tiny bellows is connected to a vibrating three-pole permanent magnet located within three field coils. Finally, the rim of the bellows bottom is attached to the end of the housing that hermetically encloses the three field coils. In this design, the only vibrating element is the bellows itself, which efficiently drives the RW membrane. To evaluate the characteristics of this newly developed TCBT, the transducer was installed in the RW niche of temporal bones and the velocity of the stapes was measured using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The experimental results indicate that the TCBT can produce 100, 111, and 129 dB SPL equivalent pressure outputs at below 1 kHz, 1–3 kHz, and above 3 kHz, respectively. Thus, the TCBT with one side coupled to the RW via a bellows will be easy to implant and offer better performance than an FMT.



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The effect of distraction on change detection in crowded acoustic scenes

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Theofilos Petsas, Jemma Harrison, Makio Kashino, Shigeto Furukawa, Dr Maria Chait
In this series of behavioural experiments we investigated the effect of distraction on the maintenance of acoustic scene information in short-term memory. Stimuli are artificial acoustic ‘scenes’ composed of several (up to twelve) concurrent tone-pip streams (‘sources’). A gap (1000ms) is inserted partway through the ‘scene’; Changes in the form of an appearance of a new source or disappearance of an existing source, occur after the gap in 50% of the trials. Listeners were instructed to monitor the unfolding ‘soundscapes’ for these events. Distraction was measured by presenting distractor stimuli during the gap. Experiments 1 and 2 used a dual task design where listeners were required to perform a task with varying attentional demands (‘High Demand’ vs. ‘Low Demand’) on brief auditory (Experiment 1a) or visual (Experiment 1b) signals presented during the gap. Experiments 2 and 3 required participants to ignore distractor sounds and focus on the change detection task. Our results demonstrate that the maintenance of scene information in short-term memory is influenced by the availability of attentional and/or processing resources during the gap, and that this dependence appears to be modality specific. We also show that these processes are susceptible to bottom up driven distraction even in situations when the distractors are not novel, but occur on each trial. Change detection performance is systematically linked with the, independently determined, perceptual salience of the distractor sound. The findings also demonstrate that the present task is a useful objective means for determining relative perceptual salience.



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A fast, stochastic, and adaptive model of auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant stimulation

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): M.J. van Gendt, J.J. Briaire, R.K. Kalkman, J.H.M. Frijns
Cochlear implants (CIs) rehabilitate hearing impairment through direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. New stimulation strategies can be evaluated using computational models. In this study, a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts auditory nerve responses to CI pulse train input was developed. A three-dimensional volume conduction and active nerve model developed at Leiden University Medical Center was extended with stochasticity, adaptation, and accommodation. This complete model includes spatial and temporal characteristics of both the cochlea and the auditory nerve. The model was validated by comparison with experimentally measured single fiber action potential responses to pulse trains published in the literature. The effects of pulse rate and pulse amplitude on spiking patterns were investigated. The modeled neural responses to CI stimulation were very similar to the single fiber action potential measurements in animal experiments. The model’s responses to pulse train stimulation with respect to spatial location were also investigated. Adaptation was stronger at the borders of the stimulated area than in the center. By combining spatial details with long-term temporal components and a broad implementation of stochasticity a comprehensive model was developed that was validated for long duration electric stimulation of a wide range of pulse rates and amplitudes. The model can be used to evaluate auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant sound coding strategies.



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A Tri-Coil Bellows-Type Round Window Transducer with Improved Frequency Characteristics for Middle-Ear Implants

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Dong Ho Shin, Ki Woong Seong, Sunil Puria, Kyu-Yup Lee, Jin-Ho Cho
A number of methods to drive the round window (RW) using a floating mass transducer (FMT) have been reported. This method has attracted attention because the FMT is relatively easy to implant in the RW niche. However, the use of an FMT to drive the RW has been proven to produce low outputs at frequencies below approximately 1 kHz. In this study, a new tri-coil bellows-type transducer (TCBT), which has excellent low frequency output and is easy to implant, is proposed. To design the frequency characteristics of the TCBT, mechanical and electrical simulations were performed, and then a comparative analysis was conducted between a floating mass type transducer (like the FMT) and a fixed type transducer (like the TCBT). The features of the proposed TCBT are as follows. First, the TCBT’s housing is fixed to the RW niche so that it does not vibrate. Second, the internal end of a tiny bellows is connected to a vibrating three-pole permanent magnet located within three field coils. Finally, the rim of the bellows bottom is attached to the end of the housing that hermetically encloses the three field coils. In this design, the only vibrating element is the bellows itself, which efficiently drives the RW membrane. To evaluate the characteristics of this newly developed TCBT, the transducer was installed in the RW niche of temporal bones and the velocity of the stapes was measured using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The experimental results indicate that the TCBT can produce 100, 111, and 129 dB SPL equivalent pressure outputs at below 1 kHz, 1–3 kHz, and above 3 kHz, respectively. Thus, the TCBT with one side coupled to the RW via a bellows will be easy to implant and offer better performance than an FMT.



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The effect of distraction on change detection in crowded acoustic scenes

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Theofilos Petsas, Jemma Harrison, Makio Kashino, Shigeto Furukawa, Dr Maria Chait
In this series of behavioural experiments we investigated the effect of distraction on the maintenance of acoustic scene information in short-term memory. Stimuli are artificial acoustic ‘scenes’ composed of several (up to twelve) concurrent tone-pip streams (‘sources’). A gap (1000ms) is inserted partway through the ‘scene’; Changes in the form of an appearance of a new source or disappearance of an existing source, occur after the gap in 50% of the trials. Listeners were instructed to monitor the unfolding ‘soundscapes’ for these events. Distraction was measured by presenting distractor stimuli during the gap. Experiments 1 and 2 used a dual task design where listeners were required to perform a task with varying attentional demands (‘High Demand’ vs. ‘Low Demand’) on brief auditory (Experiment 1a) or visual (Experiment 1b) signals presented during the gap. Experiments 2 and 3 required participants to ignore distractor sounds and focus on the change detection task. Our results demonstrate that the maintenance of scene information in short-term memory is influenced by the availability of attentional and/or processing resources during the gap, and that this dependence appears to be modality specific. We also show that these processes are susceptible to bottom up driven distraction even in situations when the distractors are not novel, but occur on each trial. Change detection performance is systematically linked with the, independently determined, perceptual salience of the distractor sound. The findings also demonstrate that the present task is a useful objective means for determining relative perceptual salience.



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A fast, stochastic, and adaptive model of auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant stimulation

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): M.J. van Gendt, J.J. Briaire, R.K. Kalkman, J.H.M. Frijns
Cochlear implants (CIs) rehabilitate hearing impairment through direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. New stimulation strategies can be evaluated using computational models. In this study, a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts auditory nerve responses to CI pulse train input was developed. A three-dimensional volume conduction and active nerve model developed at Leiden University Medical Center was extended with stochasticity, adaptation, and accommodation. This complete model includes spatial and temporal characteristics of both the cochlea and the auditory nerve. The model was validated by comparison with experimentally measured single fiber action potential responses to pulse trains published in the literature. The effects of pulse rate and pulse amplitude on spiking patterns were investigated. The modeled neural responses to CI stimulation were very similar to the single fiber action potential measurements in animal experiments. The model’s responses to pulse train stimulation with respect to spatial location were also investigated. Adaptation was stronger at the borders of the stimulated area than in the center. By combining spatial details with long-term temporal components and a broad implementation of stochasticity a comprehensive model was developed that was validated for long duration electric stimulation of a wide range of pulse rates and amplitudes. The model can be used to evaluate auditory nerve responses to cochlear implant sound coding strategies.



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via IFTTT

A Tri-Coil Bellows-Type Round Window Transducer with Improved Frequency Characteristics for Middle-Ear Implants

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Dong Ho Shin, Ki Woong Seong, Sunil Puria, Kyu-Yup Lee, Jin-Ho Cho
A number of methods to drive the round window (RW) using a floating mass transducer (FMT) have been reported. This method has attracted attention because the FMT is relatively easy to implant in the RW niche. However, the use of an FMT to drive the RW has been proven to produce low outputs at frequencies below approximately 1 kHz. In this study, a new tri-coil bellows-type transducer (TCBT), which has excellent low frequency output and is easy to implant, is proposed. To design the frequency characteristics of the TCBT, mechanical and electrical simulations were performed, and then a comparative analysis was conducted between a floating mass type transducer (like the FMT) and a fixed type transducer (like the TCBT). The features of the proposed TCBT are as follows. First, the TCBT’s housing is fixed to the RW niche so that it does not vibrate. Second, the internal end of a tiny bellows is connected to a vibrating three-pole permanent magnet located within three field coils. Finally, the rim of the bellows bottom is attached to the end of the housing that hermetically encloses the three field coils. In this design, the only vibrating element is the bellows itself, which efficiently drives the RW membrane. To evaluate the characteristics of this newly developed TCBT, the transducer was installed in the RW niche of temporal bones and the velocity of the stapes was measured using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The experimental results indicate that the TCBT can produce 100, 111, and 129 dB SPL equivalent pressure outputs at below 1 kHz, 1–3 kHz, and above 3 kHz, respectively. Thus, the TCBT with one side coupled to the RW via a bellows will be easy to implant and offer better performance than an FMT.



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via IFTTT

The effect of distraction on change detection in crowded acoustic scenes

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Theofilos Petsas, Jemma Harrison, Makio Kashino, Shigeto Furukawa, Dr Maria Chait
In this series of behavioural experiments we investigated the effect of distraction on the maintenance of acoustic scene information in short-term memory. Stimuli are artificial acoustic ‘scenes’ composed of several (up to twelve) concurrent tone-pip streams (‘sources’). A gap (1000ms) is inserted partway through the ‘scene’; Changes in the form of an appearance of a new source or disappearance of an existing source, occur after the gap in 50% of the trials. Listeners were instructed to monitor the unfolding ‘soundscapes’ for these events. Distraction was measured by presenting distractor stimuli during the gap. Experiments 1 and 2 used a dual task design where listeners were required to perform a task with varying attentional demands (‘High Demand’ vs. ‘Low Demand’) on brief auditory (Experiment 1a) or visual (Experiment 1b) signals presented during the gap. Experiments 2 and 3 required participants to ignore distractor sounds and focus on the change detection task. Our results demonstrate that the maintenance of scene information in short-term memory is influenced by the availability of attentional and/or processing resources during the gap, and that this dependence appears to be modality specific. We also show that these processes are susceptible to bottom up driven distraction even in situations when the distractors are not novel, but occur on each trial. Change detection performance is systematically linked with the, independently determined, perceptual salience of the distractor sound. The findings also demonstrate that the present task is a useful objective means for determining relative perceptual salience.



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Hearing impairment, cognition and speech understanding: exploratory factor analyses of a comprehensive test battery for a group of hearing aid users, the n200 study

.


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Mechanical testing for three-dimensional motion analysis reliability

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 50
Author(s): Emily Miller, Kenton Kaufman, Trevor Kingsbury, Erik Wolf, Jason Wilken, Marilynn Wyatt
The purpose of this study was to use simple mechanical tests to evaluate the reliability of three-dimensional motion analysis systems and biomechanical models. Three different tests were conducted at four motion analysis laboratories where clinical care and research studies are routinely performed. The laboratories had different motion capture systems, different types and number of cameras, different types and numbers of force plates and different biomechanical models. These mechanical tests evaluated the accuracy of the motion capture system, the integration of the force plate and the motion capture system, and the strength of the biomechanical model used to calculate rotational kinematics. Results of motion capture system accuracy tests showed that, for all labs, the error between the measured and calculated distances between markers was less than 2mm and 1° for marker separations which ranged from 24mm to 500mm. Results from the force plate integration tests demonstrated errors in center of pressure calculation of less than 4mm across all labs, despite varied force plate and motion system configurations. Finally, errors across labs for single joint rotations and for combined rotations at the hip and knee were less than 2° at the hip and less than 10° at the knee. These results demonstrate that system accuracy and reliability can be obtained allowing the collection of comparable data across different motion analysis laboratories with varying configurations and equipment. This testing is particularly important when multi-center studies are planned in order to assure data consistency across labs.



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Do scapula kinematics during throwing change as a result of a functional fatiguing protocol?

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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A Delphi approach to arrive at European consensus on the concepts and measurements of the pathophysiological neuromuscular responses to passive muscle stretch

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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Hearing impairment, cognition and speech understanding: exploratory factor analyses of a comprehensive test battery for a group of hearing aid users, the n200 study

.


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Mechanical testing for three-dimensional motion analysis reliability

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 50
Author(s): Emily Miller, Kenton Kaufman, Trevor Kingsbury, Erik Wolf, Jason Wilken, Marilynn Wyatt
The purpose of this study was to use simple mechanical tests to evaluate the reliability of three-dimensional motion analysis systems and biomechanical models. Three different tests were conducted at four motion analysis laboratories where clinical care and research studies are routinely performed. The laboratories had different motion capture systems, different types and number of cameras, different types and numbers of force plates and different biomechanical models. These mechanical tests evaluated the accuracy of the motion capture system, the integration of the force plate and the motion capture system, and the strength of the biomechanical model used to calculate rotational kinematics. Results of motion capture system accuracy tests showed that, for all labs, the error between the measured and calculated distances between markers was less than 2mm and 1° for marker separations which ranged from 24mm to 500mm. Results from the force plate integration tests demonstrated errors in center of pressure calculation of less than 4mm across all labs, despite varied force plate and motion system configurations. Finally, errors across labs for single joint rotations and for combined rotations at the hip and knee were less than 2° at the hip and less than 10° at the knee. These results demonstrate that system accuracy and reliability can be obtained allowing the collection of comparable data across different motion analysis laboratories with varying configurations and equipment. This testing is particularly important when multi-center studies are planned in order to assure data consistency across labs.



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Do scapula kinematics during throwing change as a result of a functional fatiguing protocol?

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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A Delphi approach to arrive at European consensus on the concepts and measurements of the pathophysiological neuromuscular responses to passive muscle stretch

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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Hearing impairment, cognition and speech understanding: exploratory factor analyses of a comprehensive test battery for a group of hearing aid users, the n200 study

.


from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2c7p1aD
via IFTTT

Mechanical testing for three-dimensional motion analysis reliability

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 50
Author(s): Emily Miller, Kenton Kaufman, Trevor Kingsbury, Erik Wolf, Jason Wilken, Marilynn Wyatt
The purpose of this study was to use simple mechanical tests to evaluate the reliability of three-dimensional motion analysis systems and biomechanical models. Three different tests were conducted at four motion analysis laboratories where clinical care and research studies are routinely performed. The laboratories had different motion capture systems, different types and number of cameras, different types and numbers of force plates and different biomechanical models. These mechanical tests evaluated the accuracy of the motion capture system, the integration of the force plate and the motion capture system, and the strength of the biomechanical model used to calculate rotational kinematics. Results of motion capture system accuracy tests showed that, for all labs, the error between the measured and calculated distances between markers was less than 2mm and 1° for marker separations which ranged from 24mm to 500mm. Results from the force plate integration tests demonstrated errors in center of pressure calculation of less than 4mm across all labs, despite varied force plate and motion system configurations. Finally, errors across labs for single joint rotations and for combined rotations at the hip and knee were less than 2° at the hip and less than 10° at the knee. These results demonstrate that system accuracy and reliability can be obtained allowing the collection of comparable data across different motion analysis laboratories with varying configurations and equipment. This testing is particularly important when multi-center studies are planned in order to assure data consistency across labs.



from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2cfE4w7
via IFTTT

Do scapula kinematics during throwing change as a result of a functional fatiguing protocol?

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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via IFTTT

A Delphi approach to arrive at European consensus on the concepts and measurements of the pathophysiological neuromuscular responses to passive muscle stretch

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture





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Confident, Concise Communication

No abstract available

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Phonological Awareness in Children with Hearing Loss

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Hearing Loss Prevention Drug is Closer to Reality

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Tinnitus and Its Relation to Emotion, Exercise

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Advances in Optogenetic-based Auditory Implants

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Online and Mobile Audiology Screenings Gain Market Recognition

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The Three A's of Hearing Health Care

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The Hearing Aid ‘Effect’ as a Function of Race and Gender

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Views and Vision

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Why Does Medicare Cover Cochlear Implants But Not Hearing Aids?

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Symptom: Ear Canal Mass and Pain

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Manufacturers News

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