
To detect electrocochleographic (ECochG) potentials generated by the cochlea in response to auditory stimuli, either transtympanic or tympanic/extratympanic electrodes are currently used. The first are invasive, while the second are arranged in contact or very close to the tympanic membrane (TM). To avoid the discomfort and the risks inherent to the application of such conventional electrodes, this Letter presents an alternative technique. A conducting liquid is inserted into the ear canal to act as a distributed electrical interface between the TM and an external electrode. Thus, ECochG potentials are detected without any direct contact between the solid electrode and the sensitive TM. This technique was tested on ten volunteers with single-click auditory stimuli. Results showed its efficacy to noninvasively detect useful ECochG responses, with accurate morphology and significant amplitude. The technique is comfortable, sedation/anesthesia-free, inherently safe, and easy to perform. It also favors improvements of contact stability, reductions of contact impedance, and relative tolerance to misplacements. As a contraindication, the liquid prevents use on subjects affected by tympanic perforation. All these features encourage further investigations on this technique as a possible additional tool for the ECochG practice.
Equipment Failure Analysis, Action Potentials, Humans, Prosthesis Design, Microelectrodes, Conducting; ECochG; Electrocochleogram; Electrocochleography; Electrode; Fluid; Non-invasive; Wet;, Audiometry, Evoked Response, Electrodes, Implanted
Equipment Failure Analysis, Action Potentials, Humans, Prosthesis Design, Microelectrodes, Conducting; ECochG; Electrocochleogram; Electrocochleography; Electrode; Fluid; Non-invasive; Wet;, Audiometry, Evoked Response, Electrodes, Implanted
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
