Modeling potential distributions inside the cochlea caused by electrical stimulation

Authors

  • Anja Chilian Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Automation, Ilmenau University of Technology, Ilmenau, Germany
  • András Kátai Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany
  • Tamás Harczos Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany Institute for Media Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Ilmenau University of Technology, Ilmenau, Germany
  • Peter Husar Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Automation, Ilmenau University of Technology, Ilmenau, Germany

Abstract

During the last decades the average speech intelligibility of cochlear-implant (CI) users has steadily been improved. Nevertheless, problems still occur especially in complex listening situations. One reason for that is the inaccurate signal transmission between CI electrodes and stimulated nerve cells. To develop new methods overcoming this problem, models are required that provide insight into the processes of electrical stimulation inside the complex geometry of the cochlea. This paper presents a detailed model of the electrically stimulated cochlea. The model consists of a virtual three-dimensional representation of the most important structures of the human cochlea. It serves as a basis for the volume conductor model, which was developed using finite element method. It allows for computation of the electrical potentials inside the modeled structures caused by current applied to the CI electrodes. The presented model was used to compare current spread for different electrode positions and configurations. The results show that the model can represent characteristic differences in spatial selectivity and hence be a help in realizing spatially more focused electrical stimulation.

References

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Published

2013-12-15

How to Cite

Chilian, A., Kátai, A., Harczos, T., & Husar, P. (2013). Modeling potential distributions inside the cochlea caused by electrical stimulation. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 4, 309–316. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2013-34

Issue

Section

2013/6. New processing and fitting strategies in cochlear implants