Cochlear implants: some likely next steps.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

The history of cochlear implants is marked by large improvements in performance, especially over the past two decades and especially due to the development of ever-better processing strategies. Although the progress to date has been substantial, present devices still do not restore normal speech reception, even for top performers and particularly for listening to speech in competition with noise or other talkers. In addition, a wide range of outcomes persists, with some patients receiving little benefit using the same devices that support high levels of speech reception for others. The purpose of this review is to describe some likely possibilities for further improvement, including (a) combined electric and acoustic stimulation of the auditory system for patients with significant residual hearing, (b) use of bilateral implants, (c) a closer replication with implants of the processing steps in the normal cochlea, and (d) applications of knowledge about factors that are correlated with outcomes to help patients presently at the low end of the performance scale.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Wilson, BS; Lawson, DT; Muller, JM; Tyler, RS; Kiefer, J

Published Date

  • 2003

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 5 /

Start / End Page

  • 207 - 249

PubMed ID

  • 12704085

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1523-9829

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1146/annurev.bioeng.5.040202.121645

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States