Abstract:
Hearing impaired patients sometimes complain of poor understanding of speech under noise. It was shown that electrical stimulation of the cochlea in tinnitus patients improved their word recognition. The objective of this study is to show that electrical stimulation of the cochlea in tinnitus patients improved their word recognition under noises. Twenty four-segment sentences mixed with multiple talk recorded on a CD were delivered to tested ears at a comfortable level via a headphone. The signal-to-noise ratios were 0-, 5-, and 10-dB. Patients were requested to repeat what they heard. Improved score was calculated at each segment in 20 sentences. A sinusoidal wave of 10 kHz at the intensity of 200 (mu)A was delivered to the cochlea. The stimulating Pt--Ir electrode was placed on the middle ear and the return electrode, which is made of a plate electrode for ECG, was placed on the skin behind the ear. Alternatively, an external electrical stimulation was applied to patients. Improved word recognition was shown in most patients with tinnitus relief following electrical stimulation of the cochlea, showing that electrical stimulation of the cochlea improved S/N in the auditory system.