@article{SprinzlMageleSchoergetal.2023,
  author    = {Sprinzl, Georg Mathias and Magele, Astrid and Schoerg, Philipp and Hagen, Rudolf and Rak, Kristen and Kurz, Anja and Van de Heyning, Paul and Calvino, Miryam and Lassaletta, Luis and Gavil{\´a}n, Javier},
  title     = {A novel representation of audiological and subjective findings for acoustical, bone conduction and direct drive hearing solutions},
  series = {Journal of Personalized Medicine},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Journal of Personalized Medicine},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {2075-4426},
  doi       = {10.3390/jpm13030462},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311210},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background: The benefit of hearing rehabilitation is often measured using audiological tests or subjective questionnaires/interviews. It is important to consider both aspects in order to evaluate the overall benefits. Currently, there is no standardized method for reporting combined audiological and patient reported subjective outcome measures in clinical practice. Therefore, this study focuses on showing the patient's audiological, as well as subjective outcomes in one graph using data from an existing study. Method: The present paper illustrated a graph presenting data on four quadrants with audiological and subjective findings. These quadrants represented speech comprehension in quiet (unaided vs. aided) as WRS\% at 65 dB SPL, speech recognition in noise (unaided vs. aided) as SRT dB SNR, sound field threshold (unaided vs. aided) as PTA\(_4\) in dB HL, wearing time and patient satisfaction questionnaire results. Results: As an example, the HEARRING graph in this paper represented audiological and subjective datasets on a single patient level or a cohort of patients for an active bone conduction hearing implant solution. The graph offered the option to follow the user's performance in time. Conclusion: The HEARRING graph allowed representation of a combination of audiological measures with patient reported outcomes in one single graph, indicating the overall benefit of the intervention. In addition, the correlation and consistency between some results (e.g., aided threshold and aided WRS) can be better visualized. Those users who lacked performance benefits on one or more parameters and called for further insight could be visually identified.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RajeswaranTavoraVieiraMertensetal.2022,
  author    = {Rajeswaran, Ranjith and Tavora-Vieira, Dayse and Mertens, Griet and Dillon, Margaret and Narayan, Saranya and Kameswaran, Mohan and Kurz, Anja},
  title     = {Audiological practice and COVID-19: recommendations that audiological centers can use to maintain the safety and quality of service-expert opinion},
  series = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  volume    = {279},
  journal   = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {1434-4726},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00405-021-06766-w},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266774},
  pages     = {1251-1256},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Purpose Audiology is an essential service for some patient groups and some interventions. This article sets forth experience-based recommendations for how audiological centers can continue to safely and effectively function during COVID-19. Methods The recommendations are the result of panel discussion and are based on the clinical experience of the panelists/authors. Results The recommendations cover which patient groups and which interventions should be treated when and whether this can be performed in the clinic or remotely; how to maintain the safety of workplace via optimizing patient flow within the clinic and the sanitation of rooms and equipment; and overcoming communication challenges that COVID-19 intensifies. Conclusion For essential audiological services to continue under COVID-19, safety measures must be implemented and maintained, and treatment and communication strategies must be adapted to offset communication difficulties due to personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing and to bolster patient confidence. In short, it is vital that staff feel safe, that patients either feel the clinic is safe enough to visit or that remote treatment may be an option, and that clinics and patients have a broad agreement on the urgency of any needed service. We hope that these recommendations help clinics effectively accomplish these goals.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuellerGraffIlgenSchendzielorzetal.2022,
  author    = {M{\"u}ller-Graff, Franz-Tassilo and Ilgen, Lukas and Schendzielorz, Philipp and Voelker, Johannes and Taeger, Johannes and Kurz, Anja and Hagen, Rudolf and Neun, Tilmann and Rak, Kristen},
  title     = {Implementation of secondary reconstructions of flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) and otological planning software for anatomically based cochlear implantation},
  series = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  volume    = {279},
  journal   = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  number    = {5},
  issn      = {1434-4726},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00405-021-06924-0},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266798},
  pages     = {2309-2319},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Purpose For further improvements in cochlear implantation, the measurement of the cochlear duct length (CDL) and the determination of the electrode contact position (ECP) are increasingly in the focus of clinical research. Usually, these items were investigated by multislice computed tomography (MSCT). The determination of ECP was only possible by research programs so far. Flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) and its secondary reconstructions (fpVCT\(_{SECO}\)) allow for high spatial resolution for the visualization of the temporal bone structures. Using a newly developed surgical planning software that enables the evaluation of CDL and the determination of postoperative ECP, this study aimed to investigate the combination of fpVCT and otological planning software to improve the implementation of an anatomically based cochlear implantation. Methods Cochlear measurements were performed utilizing surgical planning software in imaging data (MSCT, fpVCT and fpVCT\(_{SECO}\)) of patients with and without implanted electrodes. Results Measurement of the CDL by the use of an otological planning software was highly reliable using fpVCT\(_{SECO}\) with a lower variance between the respective measurements compared to MSCT. The determination of the inter-electrode-distance (IED) between the ECP was improved in fpVCT\(_{SECO}\) compared to MSCT. Conclusion The combination of fpVCT\(_{SECO}\) and otological planning software permits a simplified and more reliable analysis of the cochlea in the pre- and postoperative setting. The combination of both systems will enable further progress in the development of an anatomically based cochlear implantation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MertensAndriesKurzetal.2022,
  author    = {Mertens, Griet and Andries, Ellen and Kurz, Anja and Tȧvora-Vieira, Dayse and Calvino, Miryam and Amann, Edda and Anderson, Ilona and Lorens, Artur},
  title     = {Towards a consensus on an ICF-based classification system for horizontal sound-source localization},
  series = {Journal of Personalized Medicine},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Journal of Personalized Medicine},
  number    = {12},
  issn      = {2075-4426},
  doi       = {10.3390/jpm12121971},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297319},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {The study aimed to develop a consensus classification system for the reporting of sound localization testing results, especially in the field of cochlear implantation. Against the background of an overview of the wide variations present in localization testing procedures and reporting metrics, a novel classification system was proposed to report localization errors according to the widely accepted International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. The obtained HEARRING_LOC_ICF scale includes the ICF graded scale: 0 (no impairment), 1 (mild impairment), 2 (moderate impairment), 3 (severe impairment), and 4 (complete impairment). Improvement of comparability of localization results across institutes, localization testing setups, and listeners was demonstrated by applying the classification system retrospectively to data obtained from cohorts of normal-hearing and cochlear implant listeners at our institutes. The application of our classification system will help to facilitate multi-center studies, as well as allowing better meta-analyses of data, resulting in improved evidence-based practice in the field.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KurzZanzingerHagenetal.2021,
  author    = {Kurz, Anja and Zanzinger, Maren and Hagen, Rudolf and Rak, Kirsten},
  title     = {The impact of cochlear implant microphone settings on the binaural hearing of experienced cochlear implant users with single sided deafness},
  series = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  journal   = {European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology},
  edition   = {corrected version},
  issn      = {0937-4477},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00405-020-06450-5},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231750},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Objective Cochlear implantation has become a well-accepted treatment option for people with single-sided deafness (SSD) and has become a clinical standard in many countries. A cochlear implant (CI) is the only device which restores binaural hearing. The effect of microphone directionality (MD) settings has been investigated in other CI indication groups, but its impact on speech perception in noise has not been established in CI users with SSD. The focus of this investigation was, therefore, to assess binaural hearing effects using different MD settings in CI users with SSD. Methods Twenty-nine experienced CI users with SSD were recruited to determine speech reception thresholds with varying target and noise sources to define binaural effects (head shadow, squelch, summation, and spatial release from masking), sound localization, and sound quality using the SSQ12 and HISQUI19 questionnaires. Outcome measures included the MD settings "natural", "adaptive", and "omnidirectional". Results The 29 participants involved in the study were divided into two groups: 11 SONNET users and 18 OPUS 2/RONDO users. In both groups, a significant head shadow effect of 7.4-9.2 dB was achieved with the CI. The MD setting "adaptive" provided a significant head shadow effect of 9.2 dB, a squelch effect of 0.9 dB, and spatial release from masking of 7.6 dB in the SONNET group. No significant summation effect could be determined in either group with CI. Outcomes with the omnidirectional setting were not significantly different between groups. For both groups, localization improved significantly when the CI was activated and was best when the omnidirectional setting was used. The groups' sound quality scores did not significantly differ. Conclusions Adaptive directional microphone settings improve speech perception and binaural hearing abilities in CI users with SSD. Binaural effect measures are valuable to quantify the benefit of CI use, especially in this indication group.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HerrmannMuellerGraffKaulitzetal.2022,
  author    = {Herrmann, David P. and M{\"u}ller-Graff, Franz-Tassilo and Kaulitz, Stefan and Cebulla, Mario and Kurz, Anja and Hagen, Rudolf and Neun, Tilmann and Rak, Kristen},
  title     = {Application of intentional facial nerve stimulation during cochlear implantation as an electrophysiological tool to estimate the intracochlear electrode position},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-022-17732-9},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300197},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {This proof of concept describes the use of evoked electromyographic (EMG) activation of the facial nerve for intraoperative monitoring of the electrode insertion during cochlear implantation (CI). Intraoperative EMG measurements from the facial nerve were conducted in nine patients undergoing CI implantation. Electric current pulses were emitted from contacts on the CI array during and immediately after electrode insertion. For control, the results of EMG measurements were compared to postoperative flat panel volume computed tomography scans with secondary reconstruction (fpVCT\(_{SECO}\)). During insertion, the EMG response evoked by the electrical stimulation from the CI was growing with the stimulating contact approaching the facial nerve and declined with increasing distance. After full insertion, contacts on the apical half of the CI array stimulated higher EMG responses compared with those on the basal half. Comparison with postoperative imaging demonstrated that electrode contacts stimulating high EMG responses had the shortest distances to the facial nerve. It could be demonstrated that electrically evoked EMG activation of the facial nerve can be used to monitor the progress during CI electrode insertion and to control the intracochlear electrode position after full insertion.},
  language  = {en}
}