Constructing a three-dimensional electrical model of a living cochlear implant user's cochlea

Hearing performance varies greatly among users of cochlear implants. Current three-dimensional cochlear models that predict the electrical fields inside a stimulated cochlea and their effect on neural excitation are generally based on a generic human or guinea pig cochlear shape that does not take inter-user morphological variations into account. This precludes prediction of user-specific performance.

The aim of this study is to develop a model of the implanted cochlea of a specific living human individual and to assess if the inclusion of morphological variations in cochlear models affects predicted outcomes significantly.

Five three-dimensional electric volume conduction models of the implanted cochleae of individual living users were constructed from standard CT scan data. These models were embedded in head models that include monopolar return electrodes in accurate anatomic positions. Potential distributions and neural excitation patterns were predicted for each of the models.

Modeled potential distributions and neural excitation profiles (threshold amplitudes, center frequencies, and bandwidths) are affected by user-specific cochlear morphology and electrode placement within the cochlea.

This work suggests that the use of user-specific models is indicated when more detailed analysis is required than what is available from generic models. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.