Publication

New implantable hearing device based on a micro-actuator that is directly coupled to the inner ear fluid

Yves Perriard, Hans Bernhard
2006
Conference Papers

Abstract

A new hearing therapy called Direct Acoustical Cochlear Stimulation (DACS) was developed and validated in a first clinical trial with four patients. The key component of this therapy based on an implantable hearing device is a micro-actuator that is implanted in the mastoid right behind the external auditory canal of a patient. It generates vibrations that are directly coupled to the inner ear fluids and bypass therefore the outer and the middle ear. This allows treating severe to profound mixed hearing loss. The actuator transfer function has to be similar to the transfer function of a normal human middle ear to guarantee high system efficiency. A balanced armature actuator was the ideal transducer type in order to meet this requirement considering the given restrictions in size and shape. ©2006 IEEE.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/1897fcea-e021-4351-9035-91fb3baae272

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Yves Perriard, Hans Bernhard
2006
Conference Papers

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/1897fcea-e021-4351-9035-91fb3baae272

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Ear

An ear is the organ that enables hearing and (in mammals) body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals the ear is usually described as having three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal. Since the outer ear is the only visible portion of the ear in most animals, the word "ear" often refers to the external part alone. The middle ear includes the tympanic cavity and the three ossicles.

Middle ear

The middle ear is the portion of the ear medial to the eardrum, and distal to the oval window of the cochlea (of the inner ear). The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which transfer the vibrations of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear. The hollow space of the middle ear is also known as the tympanic cavity and is surrounded by the tympanic part of the temporal bone.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to acquire spoken language, and in adults it can create difficulties with social interaction and at work. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Hearing loss related to age usually affects both ears and is due to cochlear hair cell loss. In some people, particularly older people, hearing loss can result in loneliness.