[An experimental study of the auditory brainstem implant in guinea pigs]

In order to examine the characteristics of the auditory brainstem implant, an animal model with electrical stimulation of the cochlear nucleus in guinea pigs was created. Middle latency response (MLR) to pulsatile electrical stimulation of the cochlear nucleus was recorded from the auditory cortex with bipolar plantinumiridium electrodes and stereotaxic technique. The electrically and acoustically generated MLRs have a similar morphology though there are little differences in the latencies, wave intervals and dynamic ranges. The results indicated that the central auditory pathways can be activated by means of electrical stimulation. The safety of the brain tissue to the electrical stimulation are also discussed.