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Electrically Evoked Stapedius Reflex Measurements in Cochlear Implantation and Its Application in the Postoperative Fitting Process
Published on: June 21, 2024
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Postural responses applied in a control model in cochlear implant users with pre-lingual hearing loss
Hamlet Suarez1, Enrique Ferreira2, Rafael Alonso3
1a Laboratory of Otoneurology , British Hospital , Montevideo , Uruguay ;
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|January 30, 2016
Summary
Cochlear implant users show greater postural instability, particularly in high-frequency movements, under challenging sensory conditions. This instability lessens with age, suggesting developmental adaptations in postural control for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Postural responses (PR) are crucial for maintaining balance and are influenced by sensory input.
- Cochlear implants (CI) aim to restore hearing but may impact sensorimotor development.
- Understanding PR in pre-lingual cochlear implant users (CIU) is vital for assessing developmental adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the postural responses (PR) of pre-lingual cochlear implant users (CIU) across different sensory conditions.
- To investigate the impact of sensory challenges on the postural control of CIU.
- To explore age-related changes in postural control within the CIU population.
Main Methods:
- Measured total energy consumption of the body's center of pressure signal (ECCOP) and its frequency distribution in CIU and a control group (CG).
- Assessed participants in two sensory conditions: eyes open, and eyes closed on foam.
- Analyzed ECCOP in three frequency bands (0-0.1 Hz, 0.1-0.7 Hz, 0.7-20 Hz).
Main Results:
- Under normal sensory conditions (eyes open), CIU and CG exhibited similar ECCOP and frequency distribution.
- In challenging sensory conditions (eyes closed, foam surface), CIU showed significantly higher ECCOP, especially in higher frequencies (0.1-20 Hz).
- ECCOP values, particularly in higher frequencies, decreased with age in CIU, indicating developmental improvements.
Conclusions:
- Postural control in CIU is significantly challenged by reduced sensory information, manifesting as increased instability in higher frequency sway.
- The observed age-related decrease in ECCOP suggests that CIU undergo adaptive changes in their postural control systems during development.
- A feedback control system model highlights selective frequency gains in PR that adapt with child development, offering insights into sensorimotor integration post-implantation.
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