Human cochlear-implant eCAP studies use loudness-based limits unlike animal models

Evidence

From a multicentre study (Senn et al. 2012 ) eCAPs recorded post-operatively with the clinical system software MAESTRO (MED-EL GmbH, Innsbruck) in 52 awake human subjects were selected. The selection criteria were the availability of a pre-operative audiogram and eCAPs of at least 100 μV amplitude. The mean age at onset of hearing loss was 19 years (range: 0–72). The mean age at implantation was 46 years (range: 15–79). … In contrast to the animal model, maximum typically corresponded to the loudest acceptable presentation level. Intermediate corresponded to 50 % eCAP amplitude compared to maximum. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 2398

Categorization

• QUESTION: What is the ‘loudest acceptable presentation level’ criterion operationally in clinical software, and how does it vary across subjects?
• XREF: The contrast between animal and human stimulation protocols echoes a recurring theme of translating physiology across species used in hearing research chapters.