Abstract: Methods of using Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) to treat subjects with hearing loss associated with impaired word recognition.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for efficiently delivering nucleic acids to cochlear and vestibular cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for efficiently delivering nucleic acids to cochlear and vestibular cells.

Abstract: A method for visualizing structures inside a cochlea, comprising the steps of irradiating a cochlear bone with a first laser light to ablate portions of the cochlear bone, to form a thinned area of the cochlear bone, and imaging intracochlear structures by a second light via the thinned area of the cochlear bone to optically scan targeted structures inside the cochlea.

Abstract: Methods to reduce the proliferation of vestibular schwannoma (VS) cells and treat VS in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of mifepristone.

Abstract: A method for visualizing structures inside a cochlea, comprising the steps of irradiating a cochlear bone with a first laser light to ablate portions of the cochlear bone, to form a thinned area of the cochlear bone, and imaging intracochlear structures by a second light via the thinned area of the cochlear bone to optically scan targeted structures inside the cochlea.

Abstract: The design of a proximity sensor to be integrated into cochlea implants is described. The sensor allows the anticipation of contact between the cochlear implant and intracochlear structures, including the cochlear canal wall and basilar membrane, providing a feedback or an alarm to the surgeon performing the implant insertion such that trauma to the cochlea is avoided. This helps to preserve any residual hearing ability in patients who receive the surgical implant.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging tool including an optical waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the optical waveguide disposed at the distal end of the optical waveguide having an increased elasticity than a proximal portion of the optical waveguide; a sheath surrounding at least a portion of the optical waveguide; and an optical probe coupled to the optical waveguide, the optical probe including: an optical element coaxially aligned with a central axis of the distal end of the optical waveguide, the optical element being configured to rotate about the central axis and redirect light emitted by the optical waveguide toward a circumference of the optical probe from the central axis, and the focusing element being disposed within a housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for efficiently delivering nucleic acids to cochlear and vestibular cells.

Abstract: The disclosure features systems for providing auditory signals to a subject. The systems include a sensor front-end circuit configured to be connected to an acoustic sensor and to convert analog signals received from the acoustic sensor to digital electric signals. The systems further include a sound processor circuit configured to be connected to the sensor front-end circuit and receive the electric signals provided by the sensor front end circuit. The sound processor includes multiple filters that spectrally decompose the received electrical signals into multiple spectral channels during operation of the system. The multiple spectral channels include at least a low frequency channel and a high frequency channel and the sound processor circuit is configured to operate the low frequency channel at a sample rate lower than a sample rate of the high frequency channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure features systems for providing auditory signals to a subject. The systems include a sensor front-end circuit configured to be connected to an acoustic sensor and to convert analog signals received from the acoustic sensor to digital electric signals. The systems further include a sound processor circuit configured to be connected to the sensor front-end circuit and receive the electric signals provided by the sensor front end circuit. The sound processor includes multiple filters that spectrally decompose the received electrical signals into multiple spectral channels during operation of the system. The multiple spectral channels include at least a low frequency channel and a high frequency channel and the sound processor circuit is configured to operate the low frequency channel at a sample rate lower than a sample rate of the high frequency channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging ear tissue include: directing illumination radiation to pass through an intact biological structure and be incident on ear tissue that does not include an exogenous fluorophore, at a plurality of locations, the illumination radiation including a plurality of light pulses each having a temporal duration of 500 femtoseconds or less; for each one of the plurality of locations, using a detector to detect radiation emitted from the location that passes through the intact biological structure; and forming an image of the tissue based on the detected radiation at each of the plurality of locations, where the emitted radiation corresponds to endogenous two-photon fluorescence of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods to reduce the proliferation of vestibular schwannoma (VS) cells and/or provide neuroprotection to reduce the risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), vestibular dysfunction and facial nerve paralysis in subjects with VS. The methods can include one or more of decreasing TNF-? activity or expression; decreasing NF-?B expression or activity; decreasing COX-2 expression or activity; administering FGF2; decreasing HGF expression or activity; or decreasing c-Met expression or activity.

Abstract: Methods for treating neurodegeneration, e.g., sensorineural hearing loss, or a demyelinating disease, using bisphosphonates, ERK kinase inhibitors, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure features systems for providing auditory signals to a subject. The systems include a sensor front-end circuit configured to be connected to an acoustic sensor and to convert analog signals received from the acoustic sensor to digital electric signals. The systems further include a sound processor circuit configured to be connected to the sensor front-end circuit and receive the electric signals provided by the sensor front end circuit. The sound processor includes multiple filters that spectrally decompose the received electrical signals into multiple spectral channels during operation of the system. The multiple spectral channels include at least a low frequency channel and a high frequency channel and the sound processor circuit is configured to operate the low frequency channel at a sample rate lower than a sample rate of the high frequency channel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques and systems for extracting energy from the endocochlear potential (EP) in animal subjects (e.g., human subjects) and using the extracted energy to operate circuits (e.g., electronic device, sensors, and transmitters). The subject matter of this disclosure is embodied, for example, in a system for extracting energy from an endocochlear potential of an animal, wherein the system includes a pair of electrodes, and a circuit coupled to the pair of electrodes. The circuit includes a boost converter, an energy buffer component configured to receive voltage from the boost converter, a start-up rectifier configured to provide voltage to the energy buffer component, and a control component configured to provide control signals to the boost converter. The power extracted from the endocochlear potential is equal or larger than the quiescent power of the circuit.

Abstract: Methods to reduce the proliferation of vestibular schwannoma (VS) cells and/or provide neuroprotection to reduce the risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), vestibular dysfunction and facial nerve paralysis in subjects with VS. The methods can include one or more of decreasing TNF-? activity or expression; decreasing NF-?B expression or activity; decreasing COX-2 expression or activity; administering FGF2; decreasing HGF expression or activity; or decreasing c-Met expression or activity.

Abstract: Methods for treating neurodegeneration, e.g., sensorineural hearing loss, or a demyelinating disease, using bisphosphonates, ERK kinase inhibitors, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging ear tissue include: directing illumination radiation to pass through an intact biological structure and be incident on ear tissue that does not include an exogenous fluorophore, at a plurality of locations, the illumination radiation including a plurality of light pulses each having a temporal duration of 500 femtoseconds or less; for each one of the plurality of locations, using a detector to detect radiation emitted from the location that passes through the intact biological structure; and forming an image of the tissue based on the detected radiation at each of the plurality of locations, where the emitted radiation corresponds to endogenous two-photon fluorescence of the tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques and systems for extracting energy from the endocochlear potential (EP) in animal subjects (e.g., human subjects) and using the extracted energy to operate circuits (e.g., electronic device, sensors, and transmitters). The subject matter of this disclosure is embodied, for example, in a system for extracting energy from an endocochlear potential of an animal, wherein the system includes a pair of electrodes, and a circuit coupled to the pair of electrodes. The circuit includes a boost converter, an energy buffer component configured to receive voltage from the boost converter, a start-up rectifier configured to provide voltage to the energy buffer component, and a control component configured to provide control signals to the boost converter. The power extracted from the endocochlear potential is equal or larger than the quiescent power of the circuit.