Electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in cats. Long term electrophysiological and histological results.
Each of five cats (one congenitally deaf) had Pt-Ir electrodes placed in the modiolus. Some electrodes were stimulated with a 100 micronamp, 0.25 msec balanced biphasic 50/sec pulse for 2 hours for a total of 20 to 40 hours each over periods of several months. Pre- and poststimulation measures of click-evoked N1 responses, averaged brain stem potentials, and impedances showed no long-term effects of damage to the nerves. Light microscopy showed very acceptable tissue tolerance and no evidence of damage caused by electrical stimulation. The deaf cat had about 10% residual nerve fibers which responded to stimulation.
D000818:Animals; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D002415:Cats; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013997:Time Factors; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*