Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
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We recorded intraoperative and postoperative electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) in rhesus monkeys implanted with a vestibular neurostimulator. The objectives were to correlate the generation of slow-phase nystagmus or eye twitches induced by electrical stimulation of the implanted semicircular canal with the presence or absence of the vestibular ECAP responses and to assess the effectiveness of ECAP monitoring during surgery to guide surgical insertion of electrode arrays into the canals. ⋯ Vestibular ECAPs exhibit similar morphology and growth characteristics to cochlear ECAPs from human cochlear implant patients. The ECAP measure is well correlated with the functional activation of eye movements by electrical stimulation after implantation surgery. The intraoperative ECAP recording technique is an efficient tool to guide the placement of electrode array into the semicircular canals.
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To determine the extent to which electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) measurements were related with speech perception performance in implant users with a short electrode array and to investigate the relationship between ECAP measures and performance according to specific devices. ⋯ The results presented in this article support the view that slope of the ECAP growth can show significant correlation to performance with a cochlear implant. Furthermore, these results suggest that the strength of the correlation may be related to the specific device. These results suggest that ECAP measures may be useful in developing a test to predict outcomes with the implant.
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To measure the health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing conservative management of a vestibular schwannoma and to identify audiovestibular factors that influence health-related QoL. ⋯ Dizziness is the most significant audiovestibular predictor of QoL in patients with vestibular schwannomas. Tinnitus also has an impact on mental QoL. Hearing loss does not seem to influence QoL. Other factors such as illness perception may have an important role to play in determining QoL.
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To determine the feasibility and validity of an objective assessment tool designed to measure the development of mastoidectomy skills by resident trainees in the operating room. ⋯ Our assessment tool is a feasible and valid method of evaluating acquisition of mastoidectomy skills in the operating room. It can be integrated into surgical teaching in the operating room and yields information for direct formative feedback.
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Exposure to certain new surgical instruments and operating room devices during procedures could cause hearing damage to patients and personnel. ⋯ Instrument noise levels for average length surgical cases may exceed OSHA and NIOSH recommendations for hearing safety. Specialties such as Otolaryngology, Orthopedics, and Neurosurgery use instruments that regularly exceed limits. General operating room noise also contributes to overall personnel exposures. Innovative countermeasures are suggested.