Introduction:
Electrode insertion into the cochlea lead to significant pressure changes inside the
cochlea with assumed effects on the functionality of the cochlea in terms of residual
hearing. Fluid dynamics underline the importance of pressure changes close to inserted
things.
The aim of the study was to observe the occurence of pressure changes during electrode
insertion close to the cochlea implant electrode indicating shearing forces.
Methods:
The experiments were performed in different artificial cochlear models. A micro fibre
pressure sensor was attached to a cochlear implant electrode at three different positions
of the electrode and inserted at different speeds.
Results:
We observed significant effects on pressure changes in terms of position, speed and
electrode design.
Conclusion:
In our model experiments intracochlear pressure changes indicating shearing force
during cochlear implant electrode insertion are influenced by position and speed and
are electrode design dependent.
