Search

Background: In this study, a method to estimate number of electrodes in the acoustic region of Electric Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) subjects was proposed. Aims/Objectives: To develop and validate an anatomy-based method for EAS subjects to estimate the number of electrodes within the acoustic region. Material and methods: The postoperative CTs of adults with various degree of hearing implanted with lateral wall electrodes with mean insertion depth of 23.9 mm (18.0-28.2 mm) and mean insertion angle of 505° (355-695°) were evaluated. Results: The difference between the estimated and measured angle varied between -18 and 25°, with a mean of 0.9°. For the insertion angle of 230° and higher, the maximum difference was 24°. Taking this uncertainty into account, all electrodes in the acoustic region were predicted correctly. Conclusions and significance: The method decides on non-overlapping acoustic and electric stimulation in terms of place in the cochlea. With the accuracy of 0.84 mm for the electrode arrays inserted for more than 230°, the method was sufficient to estimate the exact number of electrodes in the acoustic region of cochlear implantees. The benefit of this method may be in fitting of EAS subjects with some portion of the electrode array in the acoustic region.

Spontaneous idiopathic tinnitus is a significant interdisciplinary therapeutic problem. Based on different programs of tinnitus treatment, we organized a team of physicians, psychologists and engineers in order to establish the needs for the first Tinnitus Clinic in Poland. At the same time, together with number of clinical centres, scientific societies and non-governmental organizations, we carried out training and an information campaign throughout the country and initiated the first epidemiological studies survey about tinnitus in Poland. Over a period of 2 years we have provided care for almost 1000 patients, including them in a IS 24-month therapeutic program at the clinic. As a method of choice, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) based on a neurophysiological model of tinnitus origin is used. We present here epidemiological data on tinnitus and hyperacusis in Poland.