We develop trials of novel neurotrophic therapies delivered to the inner ear by the cochlear implant electrode aimed at restoration of hearing.

Subtheme Leads:

• Professor Shakeel Saeed
• Professor Stuart Rosen

Achievements and Key projects:

• EVOTION – We successfully delivered this big data project using real-time hearing aid, environmental sound and vital health data from over 1000+ patients, building an integrated big data platform and applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support public health policies related to hearing loss prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation (Funded by EU Horizon 2020).
• Within the EVOTION project we also developed an auditory training app ‘story in noise’ (StiNT) that is appropriate for both people with hearing loss and auditory processing disorders (APD). The app was made freely available for on mobile phones in 2020.
• Environment and Listener Optimised Speech Processing for Hearing Enhancement in Real Situations (ELO-SPHERES). – This project is developing signal processing methods for bilateral hearing aids and their assessment in realistic audio-visual environments  (Funded by EPSC).
• Treating Auditory impairment and CogniTion (TACT) – This is a feasibility study of early hearing care in older adults to reduce dementia risk (funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK).
• Mini-MD – This programme allows discovery scientists to experience first-hand how clinical services are delivered at the Royal National Ear Nose and Throat and Eastman Dental Hospitals.
• Round window versus cochleostomy approach for cochlear implantation trial (with MEDEL, CochlearLtd, Advanced Bionics).
• VERS – This is a collaborative multi-centre longitudinal observational study evaluating the reliability, complication rate and safety of the MEDEL Vibrant Soundbridge and Bonebridge auditory implants in clinical practice. These implants use radio frequency transmission to send information from the sound processor to the internal transducer.
• A national registry for auditory implants – This is a qualitative study gathering opinions from stakeholders and patients to identify the specific requirements for developing a successful national registry of auditory implants.

Key collaborators:

City University London, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Athens Medical Center; Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Trust, MEDEL, CochlearLtd, Advanced Bionics

Key publications:

• Buchman CA, Gifford RH, Haynes DS, Lenarz T, O'Donoghue G, Adunka O, Biever A, Briggs RJ, Carlson ML, Dai P, Driscoll CL, Francis HW, Gantz BJ, Gurgel RK, Hansen MR, Holcomb M, Karltorp E, Kirtane M, Larky J, Mylanus EAM, Roland JT Jr, Saeed SR, Skarzynski H, Skarzynski PH, Syms M, Teagle H, Van de Heyning PH, Vincent C, Wu H, Yamasoba T, Zwolan T. Unilateral Cochlear Implants for Severe, Profound, or Moderate Sloping to Profound Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Consensus Statements. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Oct 1;146(10):942-953. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0998. PMID: 32857157.
• Harrison L, Manjaly JG, Ellis W, Lavy JA, Shaida A, Khalil SS, Saeed SR. Hearing Preservation Outcomes With Standard Length Electrodes in Adult Cochlear Implantation and the Uptake of Electroacoustic Stimulation. Otol Neurotol. 2020 Sep;41(8):1060-1065. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002702. PMID: 32569131.
• M. Zamani, E. Salkim, S. R. Saeed and A. Demosthenous, A Fast and Reliable Three-Dimensional Centerline Tracing: Application to Virtual Cochlear Implant Surgery, IEEE Access, 2020 Aug; 8: 167757-167766. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3020247.
• Green T, Faulkner A, Rosen S. Computer-Based Connected-Text Training of Speech-in-Noise Perception for Cochlear Implant Users. Trends Hear. 2019 Jan-Dec;23:2331216519843878. doi: 10.1177/2331216519843878. PMID: 31010386; PMCID: PMC6480987.
• Mandavia R, Knight A, Carter AW, Toal C, Mossialos E, Littlejohns P, Schilder AG. What are the requirements for developing a successful national registry of auditory implants? A qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2018 Sep 12;8(9):e021720. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021720. PMID: 30209155; PMCID: PMC6144326.