The Auditory Brainstem

An invaluable reference for diagnosing common auditory disorders Written by the foremost authorities in the field, Audiology: Diagnosis presents the basic concepts and essential clinical information for diagnosing auditory disorders, otologic diseases, and vestibular dysfunction. The book provides a thorough review of fundamental principles of diagnosis, including the basic procedures, the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, imaging techniques, instrumentation, calibration, and more. It also covers the clinical tests essential for assessing the type and degree of hearing loss and for determining the etiological factors underlying the patient's disorder. Chapters address such important topics as ototoxicity and pharmacology in the audiology practice, and utilizing functional brain imaging and radiologic techniques. Highlights: New information on effective methods for neonatal hearing screening, assessment of vestibular disorders, the genetics of hearing loss, and recent advances in testing for auditory processing disorders in children and adults Chapter outlines to rapidly acquaint reader with topics to be discussed Pearls, pitfalls, controversial points, and special considerations providing recommendations and comments on key aspects of patient care Audiology: Diagnosis is one part of a three-volume series, which is completed by Audiology: Treatment and Audiology: Practice Management. Together these books provide audiologists and students in graduate programs with an invaluable resource for each stage of management.

Focusing on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and its applications in evaluating neural disorders and hearing sensitivity, Clinical Applications of the Auditory Brainstem Response is an essential tool for every audiologist. This practical, hands-on manual provides the information necessary to understand the bases for and applications of the auditory brainstem response in clinical practice, presenting substantive, valuable information on both performance and interpretation of the measures.

Today cochlear implants are the most successful of all prostheses of the nervous system. They are used in individuals who are deaf or suffer from a severe hearing deficiency caused by loss of cochlear hair cells. Auditory brainstem implants provide stimulation of the cochlear nucleus and are used in patients with an auditory nerve dysfunction, a deformed cochlea which does not allow cochlear implantation, or traumatic auditory nerve injury. In this volume different aspects of cochlear implantation such as the role of neural plasticity, the interaction with the development of the auditory system, and the optimal time of implantation in children (sensitive periods) are discussed in detail. Further, the processors and the algorithms used in modern cochlear implants are described The second part is devoted to auditory brainstem implants. It describes surgical techniques, methods for intraoperative testing as well as speech processing. It also deals with electrical stimulation of neural tissue and the neurophysiologic basis for cochlear and brainstem implants. The publication provides the latest scientific and clinical knowledge on cochlear and brainstem implants and is highly recommended to audiologists, otolaryngologists and also neurosurgeons.

Unique textbook explores current and future applications of auditory brain implants Research on the auditory brainstem implant (ABI) has evolved from a highly specialized, narrow field to one involving a wide spectrum of disciplines. Neurotologists, audiologists, otolaryngologists, and neurosurgeons are on the front lines of treatment, while many other specialists play active roles. Auditory Brainstem Implants by renowned ABI experts Eric P. Wilkinson and Marc S. Schwartz is the first dedicated book on ABIs published to date. The state-of-the-art monograph brings together a rich array of materials and resources from an impressive group of pioneering clinicians from around the world. The text starts with introductory chapters encompassing the history and development of ABIs; relevant neuroanatomy and physiology; imaging of the cochlea, cochlear nerve, brainstem, and auditory system; and clinical indications for ABIs. Surgical chapters detail translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, and retrolabyrinthine approaches, pediatric applications, auditory midbrain implants, device-specific engineering, and intraoperative monitoring. Auditory testing, performance variables, and results are also reviewed. The final chapters focus on innovative future directions, such as penetrating multisite microelectrodes and the use of optogenetics. Key Highlights In-depth analyses and overviews enable clinicians from different disciplines to expand their armamentarium and solidify current areas of expertise Unique material on the relevant neuroanatomy of brainstem implants improves understanding of ABI challenges and outcomes Description of ABI results in tone languages demonstrates applications in special populations Pediatric topics including evaluation and surgery and implant outcomes from the Hacettepe University team provide invaluable treatment pearls Insightful perspectives on programming, rehabilitation, and outcome assessment in adults enhance knowledge Trainee and practicing otolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, audiologists, and speech pathologists will benefit from reading this comprehensive ABI resource, either cover-to-cover or by consulting specific chapters.

Remarkable progress in the development of new concepts and techniques used in reconstructive surgery of microtia/atresia of the external auditory canal (EAC) has been made since the beginning of the 21st century. Helical computed tomography has made a three-dimensional reconstruction of the soft tissue of the temporal bone surface and the cranium possible, and has laid the groundwork for a collaboration between plastic surgeons and otologists. This book presents the latest findings on reconstructive surgery performed jointly by plastic surgeons and otologists. Based on this concept, information on diagnosis, surgical procedures, outcomes, long-term results and psychology is discussed. Collaborative surgery offers advantages not only in terms of a better reconstruction of morphology and function, but also in terms of the lower number of surgical procedures required which reduces the psychological pressure and economic burden on patients.

Evoked potentials are potentials that are derived from the peripheral or central nervous system. They are time locked with an external stimulus and can be influenced by subjective intentions. Evoked potentials have become increasingly popular for clinical diagnosis over the last few years. Evoked potentials from the visual system are used by ophthalmologists in order to localize the abnormalities in the visual pathway. The otologists are mainly involved in brainstem auditory evoked potentials, while the pediatricians, neonatologists, neurologists and clinical neurophysiologists make use of multimodal stimulation. The psychiatrists and psychologists, generally, examine the slow potentials such as P300 and CNV. Anesthesiologists use short latency somatosensory and visual evoked potentials in order to monitor the effectiveness of the anesthesia. Pharmaco evoked potentials are very promising measures for the quan tification of the effectiveness of drug action on the cerebral cortex. Urologists are more and more involved in pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials and in the intensive care unit evoked potentials are used in order to monitor the functional state of the central nervous system of the patient. This overwhelming number of examinations and exam ina tors clearly demonstrates the need for guidelines and standardization of the methods used. The evoked potential metholody is restricted by the relative poor signal to noise ratio. In many diseases this signal to noise ratio decrease rapidly during the progression of the illness. Optimal technical equipment and methodology are therefore essential.