Assessing neural survival

摘要

Neural survival related to a cochlear implant may be assessed by determining stimulus efficacy for both focused and unfocused stimulation at a plurality of locations adjacent nerve tissue; and comparing stimulus efficacy for both the focused and unfocused stimulation at a plurality of locations to determine a measure of neural survival. In particular small differences in effects produced by unfocused and focused stimulation at each of the locations tends to indicate good survival at those locations and conversely large differences in effects of focused and unfocused stimulation at a given location indicate poor survival at that location.

主权项

1. A method for assessing neural survival in a region encompassing a cochlear implant and adjacent nerve tissue, said method comprising:
applying, as electrical test stimulation, focused and unfocused stimulation at a location in said region, respectively; determining stimulus efficacy for said focused and unfocused stimulation relative to said location, respectively; and comparing said stimulus efficacies of said focused and unfocused stimulation to determine a measure of neural survival local to said location.