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Eric Truy

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Truy.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

The pattern of auditory brainstem response wave V maturation in cochlear-implanted children.

OBJECTIVE: Maturation of acoustically evoked brainstem responses (ABR) in hearing children is not complete at birth but rather continues over the first two years of life. In particular, it has been established that the decrease in ABR wave V latency can be modeled as the sum of two decaying exponential functions with respective time-constants of 4 and 50 weeks [Eggermont, J.J., Salamy, A., 1988a. Maturational time-course for the ABR in preterm and full term infants. Hear Res 33, 35-47; Eggermont, J.J., Salamy, A., 1988b. Development of ABR parameters in a preterm and a term born population. Ear Hear 9, 283-9]. Here, we investigated the maturation of electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABR) in 55 deaf children who recovered hearing after cochlear implantation, and proposed a predictive model of EABR maturation depending on the onset of deafness. The pattern of EABR maturation over the first 2 years of cochlear implant use was compared with the normal pattern of ABR maturation in hearing children. METHODS: Changes in EABR wave V latency over the 2 years following cochlear implant connection were analyzed in two groups of children. The first group (n=41) consisted of children with early-onset of deafness (mostly congenital), and the second (n=14) of children who had become profoundly deaf after 1 year of age. The modeling of changes in EABR wave V latency with time was based on the mean values from each of the two groups, allowing comparison of the rates of EABR maturation between groups. Differences between EABRs elicited at the basal and apical ends of the implant electrode array were also tested. RESULTS: There was no influence of age at implantation on the rate of wave V latency change. The main factor for EABR changes was the time in sound. Indeed, significant maturation was observed over the first 2 years of implant use only in the group with early-onset deafness. In this group maturation of wave V progressed as in the ABR model of [Eggermont, J.J., Salamy, A., 1988a. Maturational time-course for the ABR in preterm and full term infants. Hear Res 33, 35-47; Eggermont, J.J., Salamy, A., 1988b. Development of ABR parameters in a preterm and a term born population. Ear Hear 9, 283-9] of normal hearing children: a sum of two decaying exponential functions, one showing an early rapid decrease in latency and the other a slower decrease. Remarkably, the time-constants fell well within the ranges described by Eggermont and Salamy (i.e., 3.9 and 68 weeks), consistent with the time-course of the neurophysiological mechanisms presumably involved in auditory pathway maturation during the first 2 years of life: i.e., myelination and increased synaptic efficacy. In contrast, relatively little change in wave V was evident in children with late-onset deafness. In agreement with the notion that EABR maturation follows an apex-to-base gradient as described for ABR, we observed that wave V latencies were longer for the basal than the apical end of the implant electrode array and remained so throughout the study period, whatever the time of onset of deafness. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in the early-onset of deafness group support the theory that auditory pathways remain "frozen" during the period of sensory deprivation until cochlear implant rehabilitation restores the normal chronology of maturational processes. In children with late-onset deafness, however, some maturational processes may occur before the onset of deafness, and thus less additional maturation is required during the first two years of implant use resulting in no significant EABR latency changes being observed in this period. The results suggest that the rehabilitation-induced plasticity of the auditory pathways is, in case of late auditory deprivation, unlikely to result in neurophysiological outcomes similar to those observed in children with early auditory deprivation. SIGNIFICANCE: Changes in EABR wave V latency over the first 2 years of cochlear implant use were found to be well fitted by the sum of two decaying exponential functions in children with early-onset deafness. This is in line with the maturation of ABR wave V latency in normal-hearing children over the first two years of life. Further studies are needed to assess whether the differences observed in terms of auditory pathways maturation are associated with consistent differences in terms of language development.

Adolescent↗

Effects of auditory pathway anatomy and deafness characteristics? (1): On electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses.

The purpose of this study was to distinguish the effects of different parameters on latencies of wave IIIe, wave Ve, and interpeak interval IIIe-Ve of electrical auditory brainstem responses (EABRs). EABRs were recorded from all the intra-cochlear electrodes in eight adult HiRes90K((R)) cochlear implant users. The relationship between latencies and stimulation sites in the cochlea was characterized to assess activity along the auditory pathway. Audiograms before implantation, psychophysics at first fitting and duration of deafness were used to describe the influence of deafness on latencies. A decreasing baso-apical latency gradient was found for waves IIIe and Ve, while the interpeak interval IIIe-Ve remained the same along the electrode array. Electrical stimulation enabling to stimulate various parts of the cochlea at the same time, this could indicate an anatomical way of compensating for the delay the acoustic wave takes to reach the cochlea apex in a non-implanted ear. However, psychophysical levels were also found to increase at the cochlear base showing that the latency gradient could result from an increasing gradient of neural degeneration toward the base. Correlations of EABR latencies with psychophysics, audiometric data and duration of deafness show that factors linked to deafness have indeed an influence on EABR latencies. The possible explanations for the latency shift observed, whether they are anatomical and/or pathological, are exposed.

Adolescent↗

Vibrant soundbridge surgery: evaluation of transcanal surgical approaches.

UNLABELLED: Since its introduction, surgery for the placement of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) device has been performed using a facial recess approach. Because of the size of the VSB device, this approach requires a large facial recess that can lead to complications, i.e., facial palsy and/or taste disturbance. The purpose of this study is to develop and compare transcanal surgical approaches for leading the VSB into the middle ear. SETTING: Cadaver temporal bones in a university temporal bone laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, two experienced senior surgeons validated the three possible approaches in human temporal bone: 1) the classical facial recess approach; 2) a small mastoidectomy, elevation of a tympanomeatal flap, small atticotomy, 0.5-mm cutting of the bony external auditory canal (EAC) from the cortical plane on its approximately two-thirds to three-fourths and then a trough to pass the electrode array into the middle ear; and 3) similar to the second approach but with replacing the cutting of the bony EAC with a tunnel from the mastoid cavity to the EAC. Both the second and third approaches were transcanal. Next, five residents and six attending surgeons performed the three operations and evaluate these different approaches by using analog visual scales (VAS) for each procedure. They assess the following: 1) the ease of passing the electrode array and the Floating Mass Transducer (FMT) into the middle ear, 2) the ease for FMT clipping, and 3) their self-confidence using each approach. Time required for the three operations was measured. Measurements of landmarks were obtained on all temporal bones. Two patient cases illustrate the clinical application of this new surgical approach. RESULTS: The two transcanal approaches were assessed to be easier, faster, and safer methods for VSB surgery than the classic facial recess approach. CONCLUSION: VSB surgery has been performed using a facial recess approach with risk for facial nerve and taste disturbance. Transcanal approaches are good alternative for this surgery. Three major limitations are to be assessed in future patient studies: the pathologic findings of the EAC, the design of the FMT regarding the axis of the ossicular chain, the long-term evaluation of the skin of the external ear canal.

Aged↗

Pulse-synchronous eye oscillations revealing bone superior canal dehiscence.

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome is a newly recognized syndrome characterized by vertigo and nystagmus induced by sound (Tullio phenomenon) or changes of middle ear (Hennebert sign) or intracranial pressure. We report on a patient with bilateral superior canal dehiscence syndrome who presented with unusual manifestations including pulse-synchronous vertical pendular nystagmus and Valsalva-induced, up and counterclockwise-beating jerk nystagmus. These unusual symptoms may be a clue to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Abnormal communication between the inner ears and the intracranial space may explain the vertical pendular and pulse-synchronous nystagmus, modulated by increased intracranial pressure.

Adult↗

Modeling the relationship between psychophysical perception and electrically evoked compound action potential threshold in young cochlear implant recipients: clinical implications for implant fitting.

OBJECTIVE: In cochlear implant recipients, the threshold of the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) has been shown to correlate with the perceptual detection threshold and maximum comfortable loudness levels (respectively, T- and C-levels) used for implant programming. Our general objective was to model the relationship between ECAP threshold and T/C-levels by taking into account their relative changes within each subject. In particular, we were interested in investigating further the validity of ECAP threshold as a predictor of psychophysical levels, depending on intra-cochlear electrode location and time of testing (from 1 to 18 months post-implantation). METHODS: A total of 370 ECAP thresholds, measured in 49 children, using a Nucleus 24 cochlear implant, were compared with the corresponding T- and C-levels obtained at the same visit, for the same electrode. Response profiles for the whole group of patients were modeled across four test electrodes spaced equally along the electrode array from base towards apex. A linear regression model was constructed and the quality of the ECAP threshold-based predictions was assessed by testing for correlation between measured and predicted psychophysics. Comparison was made with a more simplistic model (described here as the 'parallel profiles method') stipulating, within each subject, a 1 microA increase in psychophysical levels for every 1 microA increase in ECAP threshold. RESULTS: Offset between ECAP threshold and psychophysics profiles was found to vary significantly along the electrode array for the T-, but not for the C-level. In contrast with the parallel profiles method, our regression model predicted, within each subject, an average increase of 0.23 microA (95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.28) in T-level for every 1 microA increase in ECAP threshold. This correction improved the quality of T-level prediction when our model was run using measured T-level and ECAP threshold from a reference electrode (r=0.77 vs. r=0.62). The shorter the distance between the electrode for which T-level was predicted and the one used as reference, the stronger the correlation between measured and predicted T-levels. In addition, poorer T-level predictions were obtained at the basal end of the array during the first 3 months post-implantation. In contrast to T-level, individual changes in C-level with ECAP threshold exhibited heterogeneous patterns across subjects so that no common coefficient could account for these changes. However, applying the parallel profiles method led to high-quality C-level prediction. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggest that covariation between ECAP thresholds and psychophysics plays a decisive role in the relationship of ECAP threshold with T-, but not with C-level. Therefore, our regression model and the parallel profiles method should both be used for predicting, respectively, the T- and the C-levels. Although the predictability of our regression model seems to be better for middle and apical electrodes, its utilization should be extended to basal electrodes after 6 months' implant use.

Action Potentials↗

Auditory steady-state response evaluation of auditory thresholds in cochlear implant patients.

The aims of this work were to characterize the electrophysiologic response obtained by measurement of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in patients with a cochlear implant (MXM Digisonic) and to study the relationship between the subjective thresholds of the implantees and those estimated using electrical auditory steady-state response (ASSR)-based objective audiometry. Five subjects were examined with the use of four carrier frequencies--600, 1000, 2000 and 3500 Hz--modulated at frequencies between 70 and 85Hz, a particular frequency of modulation being represented at a specific electrode (for each carrier frequency) as a particular pulse-width modulation frequency. The protocol consisted of testing output and thresholds for different overall pulse durations for several stimulus (pulse) intensities, rendering multiple threshold measures (in duration) for each subject tested. The non-linearity of response growth, as a function of duration, provided the basis for teasing apart physiologic response and electrical artefact in the suprathreshold recorded responses. Thresholds estimated with use of the electrical ASSR demonstrated reasonably good agreement with the subjective thresholds. The results obtained thus demonstrated the efficacy of the approach and are encouraging for further advances in cochlear implant applications.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

A middle ear implant, the Symphonix Vibrant Soundbridge: retrospective study of the first 125 patients implanted in France.

OBJECTIVE: The Vibrant Soundbridge is an active semi-implantable middle ear implant for the rehabilitation of patients with a sensorineural hearing loss who are not able to derive adequate benefit from conventional hearing aids. A retrospective study was performed to assess the overall level of satisfaction of implanted patients and to investigate the potential determinants of postoperative success. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective survey of audiological data from repeated measures and subjective data from self-assessment scales administered postoperatively was conducted to determine the degree of benefit and satisfaction for Vibrant Soundbridge implantees. SETTING: Twenty-one tertiary referral and teaching hospitals. SUBJECTS: The first 125 VSB implantees implanted in France between August 1997 and May 2001 were included in the study. RESULTS: No clinically significant change was observed for residual hearing postoperatively. Most patients (83%) reported they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the Vibrant Soundbridge. Analysis of correlation revealed a moderate correlation (Pearson coefficient r = 0.59) between the degree of benefit reported via the patient survey and the degree of benefit reported via the Glasgow Benefit Inventory. A moderate correlation (Pearson coefficient r = 0.66) was observed between speech comprehension scores in quiet for the preoperative unaided condition and the postoperative aided Vibrant Soundbridge condition. No correlation was observed between subjective reports of satisfaction postoperatively and performance on preoperative objective tests or patient characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a high level of satisfaction with the VSB as a treatment of sensorineural hearing impairment in patients with a wide range of characteristics. Preoperative scores for unaided speech comprehension tests in quiet may be a potential indicator of success on aided Vibrant Soundbridge speech comprehension tests postoperatively but do not reflect patient satisfaction with the device reported on self-assessment scales.

Adult↗

Cochlear implantation in prelingually deafened children with residual hearing.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the speech perception skills of prelingually deafened French children with preoperative residual hearing who received multichannel cochlear implants. DESIGN: The design of the study incorporated a within-subject, repeated measures design for assessing speech perception skills. SETTING: Montpellier, Toulouse and Lyon Pediatric Cochlear Implant Centers. SUBJECTS: Seven prelingually deafened children demonstrating marginal benefit from conventional amplification prior to implantation with a Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant, served as subjects for the speech perception assessment (a speech recognition score less than 30% defines marginal benefit from acoustic amplification on open set materials). The mean age at implantation was 7 years, 9 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech perception skills were assessed using open set materials and the MUSS and MAIS questionnaires. RESULTS: Open-set speech recognition averaged 21.4% before implantation, and 83.6% after 1 year's cochlear implant experience. All children demonstrated an open-set score over 60% after 12 months of CI use. MAIS test scores averaged 18.1/40 before implantation and 35.1/40 after 9 months of CI use. MUSS test scores averaged 24.4/40 before implantation and 34.1/40 after 9 months of CI use. CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear implantation should be considered for prelingually hearing impaired children demonstrating marginal benefit from hearing aids, with a speech recognition score less than 30% on open set materials, in order to improve their speech discrimination skills.

Audiometry↗

The contribution of visual areas to speech comprehension: a PET study in cochlear implants patients and normal-hearing subjects.

Early visual cortex can be recruited by meaningful sounds in the absence of visual information. This occurs in particular in cochlear implant (CI) patients whose dependency on visual cues in speech comprehension is increased. Such cross-modal interaction mirrors the response of early auditory cortex to mouth movements (speech reading) and may reflect the natural expectancy of the visual counterpart of sounds, lip movements. Here we pursue the hypothesis that visual activations occur specifically in response to meaningful sounds. We performed PET in both CI patients and controls, while subjects listened either to their native language or to a completely unknown language. A recruitment of early visual cortex, the left posterior inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and the left superior parietal cortex was observed in both groups. While no further activation occurred in the group of normal-hearing subjects, CI patients additionally recruited the right perirhinal/fusiform and mid-fusiform, the right temporo-occipito-parietal (TOP) junction and the left inferior prefrontal cortex (LIPF, Broca's area). This study confirms a participation of visual cortical areas in semantic processing of speech sounds. Observation of early visual activation in normal-hearing subjects shows that auditory-to-visual cross-modal effects can also be recruited under natural hearing conditions. In cochlear implant patients, speech activates the mid-fusiform gyrus in the vicinity of the so-called face area. This suggests that specific cross-modal interaction involving advanced stages in the visual processing hierarchy develops after cochlear implantation and may be the correlate of increased usage of lip-reading.

Auditory Cortex↗

Results of the MXM Digisonic auditory brainstem implant clinical trials in Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential benefit of the MXM auditory brainstem implant for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and bilateral acoustic neuromas underwent implantation with the MXM auditory brainstem implant during surgery to remove the second-side tumor. RESULTS: There were no complications related to the auditory brainstem implantation. Auditory sensations were present for 12 of 14 patients (86%). Global results indicated an improved quality of life for the patients receiving auditory sensations, in part because of their auditory orientation within the environment. Eighty-nine percent of patients tested with an open-set sentence test demonstrated enhancement of speech understanding as a result of lip-reading improvement when auditory brainstem implant sound was combined with lip-reading. A few patients (36%) had some speech understanding in sound-only mode. One patient was able to have limited phone conversations. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that significant auditory benefit can be derived from the MXM auditory brainstem implant.

Adolescent↗

The binaural digisonic cochlear implant: surgical technique.

The surgical technique of cochlear implantation is currently well established. It is sure and efficient. The results of the cochlear implant concerning speech perception are good and have a favorable cost/efficiency ratio. However, some points remain to be researched. Bilateral implantation allows one to obtain a binaural perception and especially to increase, theoretically, the possibilities of frequency discrimination by reducing interactions between electrodes and therefore improving the patient's performance. Nevertheless, it seems important to caution against placing two implants in one patient, especially for economic reasons. Thus, we have developed, with the MXM Company, a concept of a unique implant able to stimulate both cochleas with a single processor and a single receiver: the Binaural Digisonic cochlear implant. This article describes the Binaural Digisonic system, the surgical technique as developed by postmortem dissection, and the first two implantations in patients.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Electrophysiological findings in two bilateral cochlear implant cases: does the duration of deafness affect electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses?

Bilateral cochlear implantation provides an interesting model for in vivo study of the effect of long-term profound deafness on neural transmission. We present electrophysiological observations on 2 patients implanted with the MXM Binaural Digisonic Convex system. This uncommon design consists of 2 electrode arrays placed bilaterally into the scala tympani and controlled by a single speech processor. In both patients, the duration of deafness before cochlear implantation clearly differed from one ear to the other. Electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses (EABRs) were measured and the EABRs from the ear with the longer deafness duration showed a lengthening of wave V latency. In I patient, recordings from this ear also showed a lack of reproducibility of wave III. The data suggest that neural responsiveness in the peripheral and intermediate auditory pathways is adversely affected by deafness duration. Poor EABRs on one ear possibly result from the total duration of deafness in this ear and/or compensation by the other ear.

Adult↗