ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To model the contribution of implant material and insertion trauma on loss of acoustic hearing after cochlear implantation in an appropriate animal model. METHODS: Sixty-five C57Bl/6J mice underwent unilateral implantation with implant grade materials: 2 implant grade silicones and a third uncoated platinum wire. A sham surgery group was included as a control. Serial auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were used to discern effects on hearing over 22 weeks. Histologic measurements of damage to the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion were correlated with degree of hearing loss and material type. RESULTS: Organ of Corti damage correlated with rate of hearing loss soon after implantation (0-2 weeks) but not subsequently (2-22 weeks). Organ of Corti damage did not depend on implant type and was present even in sham surgery subjects when hearing was severely damaged. Spiral ganglia appeared unaffected. There was no evidence of an inflammatory or toxic effect of the materials beyond the site of implant insertion. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss and cochlear damage appear to be related to insertion trauma, with minimal effect on delayed hearing loss caused by different materials. In the C57Bl/6J mouse model, the sensory epithelium appears to be the location of damage after cochlear implantation.
