Robert V. Shannon - US grants

implant; time perception; cochlea;

Electrical stimulation of the auditory system provides considerable speech information to deaf patients, even to those using only a single electrode. We propose a series of psychophysical measures to quantitatively define basic perceptual capabilities for detecting and discriminating simple and complex temporal patterns with electrical and acoustic stimulation. A unique feature of this proposal is access to patients with different cochlear implants (CI) and patients with implants on the cochlear nucleus (ABI: auditory brainstem implants). Implant patients have no mechanism for spectral analysis of electrical signals and so can only receive time-intensity or envelope information. However, it is not clear what type of envelope information is important for speech recognition and how to present this information efficiently to implanted patients. Our hypothesis is that low-frequency temporal information and amplitude information reflecting the envelope of the auditory stimulus are perceived normally by implanted patients. A secondary hypothesis is that simple psychophysical tasks do not relate to speech discrimination because they measure basic capability in optimal conditions rather than measuring capability in more complex and dynamic conditions found in speech. The long-term objective is to understand the relation between speech recognition and psychophysical capability on time-intensity patterns. The specific aims of this research are to (1) design psychophysical tasks to measure detection and discrimination performance for stimuli whose time-intensity patterns reflect important phonetic distinctions in speech, (2) measure the categorization of these temporal patterns in normal and electrically stimulated listeners, and (3) design and implement single- and multi- channel speech processors that preserve salient features of the time- intensity pattern. The experimental design and method will be to measure detection and discrimination of temporal patterns by objective 2AFC tracking methods. The temporal patterns will be selected to represent temporal features of speech signals that are known to be important in phonetic distinctions. We will measure categorization of temporal patterns using a traditional labeling task with stimuli distributed along continuum spanning the categories. Single and two-channel speech processors will be designed based on the psychophysical studies to preserve timely-intensity patterns that are important in distinguishing phonetic information. Consonant, vowel, and connected speech recognition will be measured for several processors and the results compared to predictions based on psychophysical data.

Electrical stimulation of the auditory system provides considerable speech information to deaf patients, even to those using only a single electrode. We propose a series of psychophysical measures to quantitatively define basic perceptual capabilities for detecting and discriminating simple and complex temporal patterns with electrical and acoustic stimulation. A unique feature of this proposal is access to patients with different cochlear implants (CI) and patients with implants on the cochlear nucleus (ABI: auditory brainstem implants). Implant patients have no mechanism for spectral analysis of electrical signals and so can only receive time-intensity or envelope information. However, it is not clear what type of envelope information is important for speech recognition and how to present this information efficiently to implanted patients. Our hypothesis is that low-frequency temporal information and amplitude information reflecting the envelope of the auditory stimulus are perceived normally by implanted patients. A secondary hypothesis is that simple psychophysical tasks do not relate to speech discrimination because they measure basic capability in optimal conditions rather than measuring capability in more complex and dynamic conditions found in speech. The long-term objective is to understand the relation between speech recognition and psychophysical capability on time-intensity patterns. The specific aims of this research are to (1) design psychophysical tasks to measure detection and discrimination performance for stimuli whose time-intensity patterns reflect important phonetic distinctions in speech, (2) measure the categorization of these temporal patterns in normal and electrically stimulated listeners, and (3) design and implement single- and multi- channel speech processors that preserve salient features of the time- intensity pattern. The experimental design and method will be to measure detection and discrimination of temporal patterns by objective 2AFC tracking methods. The temporal patterns will be selected to represent temporal features of speech signals that are known to be important in phonetic distinctions. We will measure categorization of temporal patterns using a traditional labeling task with stimuli distributed along continuum spanning the categories. Single and two-channel speech processors will be designed based on the psychophysical studies to preserve timely-intensity patterns that are important in distinguishing phonetic information. Consonant, vowel, and connected speech recognition will be measured for several processors and the results compared to predictions based on psychophysical data.

The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 15 years dramatic advances in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved (e.g., adults' average sentence recognition scores of 70-80% without speechreading). These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through a series of biennial research conferences, originating with the 1983 Gordon Research Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses. These conferences are the only forum in which implant research issues are the sole focus. The major goal of the 1997 conference is to continue this long standing tradition of providing a forum for the focused discussion and serous scientific exchange which is crucial to continued progress in the field. This conferences's theme is to understand factors underlying the wide variation of implantees' speech recognition scores, one of the 1995 NIH Consensus Conference's recommendations for future research. The first day's sessions will address factors affecting speech perception performance in adults and children as well as spoken language processing (including implantees' results on new, lexical-access based speech tests). During the next 3 + days, important new insights into sources of individual variability will be described from a number of perspectives (e.g., imaging of implanted electrode positions, temporal and spatial representations of electrically evoked whole nerve potentials from intracochlear measurements, neurophysiologic processes underlying speech sound perception and auditory cortical maturation, and narrowly focused versus diffuse electrical fields). With over 14, 000 existing implant patients and the number increasing rapidly, there is considerable urgency to understand basic issues of implant design and programming. This understanding will lead to an individualized approach to selection of stimulation parameter sets for present and future speech processing strategies; the goal is to optimize an implantee's speech recognition. Implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing the normal processing that occurs in the cochlea, and thus provide a unique opportunity to study the relative roles of central and peripheral processing in auditory perception. This application seeks partial support for this conference.

The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation to the profoundly deaf. Over the past fifteen years dramatic advances in patients/ performance with these devices have been achieved (e.g., adults' average sentence recognition scores of 70-80% without speech reading). These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through a series of biennial research conferences, originating with the 1983 Gordon Research Conference on Implantable Auditory Prosthesis. These conferences are the only forum in which implant research issues the sole focus. The theme of the 1997 conference was to understand factors underlying the wide variation of implantees' speech recognition scores. While those factors were addressed using a number of different approaches during that meeting, the issue of variability, the underlying reasons for that variability, and the appropriate treatment for patients with widely varying pathology are still important subjects for research and discussion. The focus of the 1999 conference will be in two general areas that we view as important follow-up to the last conference's discussions. The first area is a better understanding of the relationship between physiological and psychophysical measures. While physiological assessments provide the most direct measure of the auditory periphery, it is essential to place those measures in a context of behavioral performance. Psychophysical measures and their relationship to speech perception and speech processing will also be addressed. Understanding the link between mechanisms of neural excitation and the corresponding perception is essential to apply the knowledge gained from physiology to development of better speech processing strategies. The second area is the long-term effects of electrical stimulation. This topic will be approached through anatomical and physiological studies in addition to reports on developmental aspects in the use of cochlear implants. In each of these topics we will attempt to address further the important issues of individual differences, developing a better understanding of the basis of individual differences as well as the development of strategies for dealing with individual differences. This application seeks partial support for this conference.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted adults is between 80-100% correct. These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through a series of biennial research conferences, originating with the 1983 Gordon Research Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses. These conferences are the only forum in which implant research issues are the sole focus. The two 'new' developments since the last (1999) meeting are binaural implants and combined electric and acoustic hearing. Both developments will be discussed at length in the 2001 meeting. Binaural implants allow the possibility of better hearing in noise and localization of sound sources (a significant safety issue for implant patients). Combined acoustic (low frequency) and electric (high frequency) hearing is a reality for a small number of patients. The health related and economic consequences of a successful hybrid technology would be enormous. In addition to these topics we will continue to examine the latest research on (1) the effects of deprivation and stimulation on the development and plasticity of the auditory system (including data from human infants), (2) the underlying bases for language acquisition in children fit with implants, (3) the factors underlying channel and electrical interactions in the cochlea, (4) the coding of speech in the auditory periphery and more centrally (including data from cortical multielectrode arrays and functional brain imaging), (5) the development of new electrode arrays and (6) the development of new signal processing strategies for speech coding. In sum, the conference will continue the tradition of combining information from a wide range of disciplines in an effort to better understand electrical stimulation of the cochlea and to improve the performance of patients fit with cochlear implants. This application seeks partial support for this conference, scheduled at the Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA on August 19-23, 2001.

Cochlear implants (CI) are now in widespread use and the average performance level is excellent, but there is considerable variability in performance across patients. The 1995 NIH Consensus Conference on Cochlear Implants identified variability in patient outcomes as one of the key areas in need of further research. Recent research in our lab has shown little variability in performance across normal-hearing listeners tested with the same signal processing as CI listeners. Our overall hypothesis is that this variability is partly (or even largely) due to poor fitting of the processor parameters to the individual patient, particularly in the frequency domain. Experiments on normal-hearing listeners show that warping the frequency-to- cochlear place assignments can result in a large degradation in performance. Our overall goal is to develop a quantitative model of the effects of frequency-place mismatching, which could be used to guide the fitting of speech processors in cochlear implants and hearing aids. Specific Aim 1 is to quantify the effects of various types of distortion in the frequency-place mapping on speech recognition in quiet and in noise. Distortions to be characterized are: frequency-place shifts, truncation in acoustic or cochlear domains, and linear and nonlinear frequency-place warping. We will measure phoneme, word and sentence cognition as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio [performance-intensity (PI) functions]. Simple sigmoidal functions will be fit to the PI functions and the three parameters [speech recognition threshold (SRT), slope, and asymptote] will be estimated as a function of the independent variable. Specific Aim 2 is to assess the differences between CIS, SAS, and n-of-m processing strategies. One experiment will directly compare performance in the same NH and CI listeners for CIS and n-of-m processors. Another experiment will assess place-specific temporal processing in SAS processors and the results will be compared to CIS and n-of-m processing with the same frequency- place map. Specific Aim 3 is to develop a mathematical model of the effects of various types of distortions in the frequency-place mapping, based on the data obtained in Aim 1. This model would define a multidimensional surface relating speech recognition as a function of signal-to-noise level to frequency-place mapping parameters. The model would provide a quantitative description of this parameter space and would provide the basis for frequency-place parameter optimization strategies. Parameter optimization procedures (Simplex, Neural Networks, Genetic algorithms) will then be applied to this surface to find the frequency-place (or frequency-electrode) assignment that produces maximum performance.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology is indispensible for modern auditory research. Real-time signal processing is essential for speech processors for cochlear implants, hearing aids, and sensory substitution devices. Electrophysiology (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) research requires real-time processing for research on techniques that are outside the realm of commercial ABR and OAE devices, or for portable test equipment. Biological assays of dynamic processes may require real-time image processing to differentiate cellular mechanisms on millisecond time scales. DSP hardware and software are complex and rapidly evolving technologies that require higher-level engineering resources than can usually be justified by any one research application. This Engineering Core proposal would support the engineering expertise necessary to develop, maintain, and integrate DSP technology into the existing research projects at HEI. This core proposes two levels of engineering support: specialized DSP expertise and general engineering services. Specific Aim 1 will develop and maintain DSP expertise on the latest hardware and software platforms. The Engineering core will develop core DSP hardware platforms with associated software operating systems, which will allow investigators to download programs into the DSP platform from PC or MAC-based laboratory machines and control data flow and handle errors from the DSP system. Specific Aim 2 will allow Engineering Core personnel to interface with project-specific engineers to develop specialized hardware and software for input sensors and output actuators for the individual projects. Sensors might include vibratory, acoustic, photonic, biosensors, or electrical. Actuators could include acoustic, vibratory, electrical, or digital implant transmission codes. Specific Aim 3 will provide Core Investigators with Engineering support for standard acoustic test equipment, such as audiometers, commercial ABR and OAE measurement equipment, and psychophysical test equipment. The Engineering Core will provide assistance in configuring, maintaining and calibrating such equipment.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years, dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted adults is between 80-100% correct. These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through a series of biennial research conferences, originating with the 1983 Gordon Research Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses. These conferences are the only forum in which implant research issues are the sole focus. A 'new' development since the last (2001) meeting is the potential to combine electrical stimulation with other trophic agents to ensure reduced degeneration of neural elements. This development will be discussed at length in the 2003 meeting, and will include both in vitro and in vivo data from experimental animals, together with an overview of the proposed delivery of neurotrophins clinically. The meeting will also focus on new developments in a core theme of this meeting - improved signal processing. This session will critically examine the application of stochastic resonance in signal processing schemes, and examine the potential to employ schemes based on our understanding of processing in the normal cochlea. In addition to these topics we will examine the latest research on (1) the effects of deprivation and stimulation on plasticity of the auditory system, (2) combined acoustic (low frequency) and electric (high frequency) hearing, (3) electrophysiological monitoring in cochlear implants, (4) new innovative electrode arrays for cochlear implants, (5) implant psychophysics, (6) binaural cochlear implants, and (7) "beyond the horizons" talks by experts in fields related to cochlea implants. In sum, the conference will continue the tradition of combining information from a wide range of disciplines in an effort to better understand electrical stimulation of the cochlea and to improve the performance of patients fitted with cochlear implants. This application seeks partial support for this conference, scheduled at the Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA on August 17-22, 2003.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted adults is between 80-100% correct. These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through a series of biennial research conferences, originating with the 1983 Gordon Research Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses. These conferences are the only forum in which implant research issues are the sole focus. Topics to receive emphasis in this meeting are the coding of pitch and music, and the effects of CMS plasticity and learning. Complex pitch and music have proven to be particularly difficult to convey in a cochlear implant. Recent studies have started to elicidate the underlying neuroscience of complex pitch. Learning and plasticity have long been complex issues surrounding hearing aids and implants. A special session will explore the time course and neurological data of plasticity and learning as it applies to cochlear implants. In addition to these topics we will examine the latest research on (1) binaural processing, (2) combined acoustic (low frequency) and electric (high frequency) hearing, (3) channel interaction, (4) signal processing and speech in noise, (5) coding of pitch and music perception, (6) perceptual organization of speech, (7) electrode technology and design, (8) cochlear implants in children, (9) CNS plasticity and cognitive factors, and (10) future prostheses. In summary, the conference will continue the tradition of combining information from a wide range of disciplines in an effort to better understand electrical stimulation of the cochlea and to improve the performance of patients fitted with cochlear implants. This application seeks partial support for this conference, scheduled at the Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA July 30 to August 4, 2005.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks partial support for the 2007 Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, scheduled at the Granlibakken Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 10-15, 2007. The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted postlingually deafened adults is between 80-100% correct. These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through this series of biennial research conferences, originating with a 1983 Gordon Conference. These conferences are the only forum in which scientific research issues are the sole focus. Topics to receive emphasis in this meeting are the coding of temporal fine structure (TFS) for speech and music, implants in infants and children, and the effects of training. Complex pitch and music, which rely on TFS, have proven to be particularly difficult to convey in a cochlear implant. Cochlear implant research is at the forefront of studies to elucidate the underlying neuroscience of complex pitch. Learning and plasticity have long been known to relevant to hearing aids and implants, and are now receiving considerable attention in recent research. In addition to these topics we will examine the latest research on (1) biological trophic factors, (2) novel stimulation and signal-processing strategies, (3) implants beyond the cochlea, (4) combining implant stimulation with low-frequency residual hearing. In sum, the conference will continue the tradition of bringing together knowledge and data from a wide range of disciplines in an effort to better understand electrical stimulation of the cochlea and to improve the performance of patients fitted with cochlear implants. This application seeks partial support for a conference on basic research on cochlear implants and other forms of prosthetic hearing. This conference provides a unique forum for scientists to share their latest research and to brainstorm about future directions in research. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Auditory prostheses not only bring a high level of functional hearing to deafened patients, but can also be a powerful tool for auditory neuroscience. Given the minimal and distorted cues provided by these devices, what factors allow some patients to recognize speech while others cannot? This proposal achieves leverage on this question by comparing psychophysical and speech performance across patient etiologies, patient performance levels, and across implant locations: cochlea, cochlear nucleus (CN), and inferior colliculus (IC). The long-term goal of this proposal is to utilize prosthetic activation of different stages in the human auditory system to understand how different levels of auditory processing contribute to speech pattern recognition. Our primary hypothesis is that speech pattern recognition depends strongly on specific peripheral processing, and that damage to these peripheral elements degrades speech recognition even when most other perceptual elements appear to be normal. A secondary hypothesis is that psychophysical performance with simple stimuli is not a good predictor of speech performance with electric hearing; psychophysical measures with complex stimuli may utilize similar perceptual mechanisms used for speech recognition, and thereby better predict patient outcomes. The specific aims are: 1. To quantify perceptual measures that may reflect biophysics from electrical stimulation of surface and penetrating electrodes in the cochlea, cochlear nucleus, and inferior colliculus in deaf patients. 2. To compare performance on simple and complex psychophysical tasks in patients with surface and penetrating electrodes in the cochlea, CN, and IC. 3. To use the results from Aims 1 and 2 to develop a profile that distinguishes patients with good speech recognition from those with poorer levels of recognition. The psychophysical tasks that correlate with speech recognition, obtained from electrical stimulation at three different levels of the auditory periphery, may help to define the perceptual characteristics of the putative peripheral damage. In addition, comparison of speech recognition and profiles of psychophysical performance will suggest links between basic perceptual capabilities and more complex auditory pattern recognition. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

The HEI Engineering core provides highly technical engineering expertise to enable cutting edge technical solutions to practical problems faced by a diverse array of scientists. Engineering solutions are episodic in nature, requiring several months of highly skilled engineering expertise, but only infrequently. Individual investigators generally do not have sufficient engineering needs on a continuing basis to justify full-time engineering personnel. The Engineering Core will maintain expertise in rapidly changing technologies to support new and innovative enabling technologies for scientific applications. Modern auditory research involving auditory prostheses and hearing assessment systems depends heavily on real-time processing of digital information. The engineering core will maintain expertise in realtime digital signal processing (DSP) hardware and software (Aim 1). The engineering core will develop and maintain expertise on the communication interfaces such as USB and IEEE 1394 with host computers and specialized hardware/software platforms for laboratory instrumentation. (Aim 2). Many experimental applications require precise triggering and coordination of multiple pieces of equipment, on time scales as short as microseconds and for spatial resolution of image data in the micron range. The engineering core will develop and maintain hardware and software to allow precision control of diverse equipment. (Aim 3)

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks partial support for the 2009 Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, scheduled at the Granlibakken Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 12-17, 2009. The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis to achieve the technical success necessary for widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients'performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted postlingually deafened adults is between 80-100% correct. Congenitally deaf children are achieving normal rates of speech and language development with cochlear implants. These advances have derived substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through this series of biennial research conferences, originating with a 1983 Gordon Conference. These conferences are the only forum in which scientific research issues are the sole focus. Topics to receive emphasis in this meeting are: the electrode-neural interface, acoustic signal pre-processing, physiological measures of auditory performance, combined electric and acoustic stimulation, bilateral implants in adults and children, implants in the auditory brainstem and midbrain, regeneration and rescue of spiral ganglion neurons, and plasticity and development. In addition there will be a special session honoring the contributions of Margo Skinner to implant research. In sum, the conference will continue the tradition of bringing together knowledge and data from a wide range of disciplines in an effort to better understand electrical stimulation of the cochlea and to improve the performance of patients fitted with cochlear implants.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks partial support for the 2011 Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, scheduled to be held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA, July 24- 29, 2011. The cochlear implant is the first neural prosthesis in widespread clinical application, due to its evident successes. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients'performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted postlingually deafened adults is between 80-100% correct. Congenitally deaf children are achieving normal rates of speech and language development with cochlear implants, as long as they are implanted early enough. These advances have benefitted substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines. This close collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through this series of biennial research conferences, originating with a 1983 Gordon Conference. These conferences are the only forum related to cochlear implants in which scientific research issues are the sole focus. The long-term goal of this conference series is to generate new research ideas that will improve the design and function of auditory prostheses. The Specific Aims of this proposal are (1) to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest and highest quality basic research on cochlear implants and other auditory prostheses, (2) to provide a meeting venue and atmosphere that is conducive to scientific discussion and brainstorming, and (3) to provide an opportunity for young investigators in the field to present their work and network with established investigators. The CIAP conferences use the Gordon Research Conference model of organization, which includes ample time for discussion within the program, ample unstructured time to encourage spontaneous informal discussions and brainstorming, and an isolated location so that participants spend almost all their waking hours in the company of other conference participants. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This proposal seeks partial support for a biennial international conference on basic research on cochlear implants and other forms of prosthetic hearing. This conference provides a unique forum for scientists to share their latest research and to brainstorm about future directions in research.

The HEI Core Center for Hearing Research aims to support and facilitate research, foster collaborations and set new research directions in the following two areas: 1) engineering, and 2) imaging/morphology. Core B: Engineering - The Engineering Core will develop and maintain expertise in rapidly changing technologies to support new and innovative enabling technologies for scientific applications: digital signal processing (DSP), communication interfaces, and controllers. The Core will also interact with project-specific engineers to provide core hardware and software components in these areas for integration into research projects. Core C: Imaging and Morphology - aims to provide state-of-the-art, intravital imaging, morphology and microscopy services and training to HEI scientists. Such services include inspection and maintenance of all imaging equipment, image storage and analysis, morphometry and training. The addition of a histology technician will help towards the achievement of this objective. The addition of a full time confocal technician is particularly important since we are in the process of purchasing two new Laser Scanning Confocal microscopes with increased functionality to replace the one we originally purchased 10 years ago. The Core will perform inspection and maintenance of all imaging and tissue processing equipment. The Core will also encourage collaboration and dissemination of information about advances in the field of imaging.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks partial support for the 2013 and 2015 Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses (CIAP). The 2013 CIAP is scheduled to be held at the Granlibakken Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, CA July 14-19, 2013. The cochlear implant (CI) is the first neural prosthesis in widespread clinical application. It provide the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted postlingually deafened adults is 80-100% correct. Congenitally deaf children who receive a CI prior to age 2 are achieving nearly normal rates of speech and language development with cochlear implants. CIs provide significant improvement in communication even in postlingually deafened adults who have significant residual acoustic hearing. The auditory brainstem implant, a variation on the cochlear implant that stimulates the cochlear nucleus, can provide speech understanding in children and adults who have no cochlear nerve. These advances have benefitted substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines, from engineering, materials science, and signal processing, to linguistics and cognition. This broad, interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through this series of biennial research conferences, originating with a 1983 Gordon Conference. These conferences are the only forum related to cochlear implants in which scientific research issues are the sole focus. The long-term goal of this conference series is to generate new research ideas that will improve the design and function of auditory prostheses. The Specific Aims of this proposal are (1) to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest and highest quality basic research on cochlear implants and other auditory prostheses, (2) to provide a meeting venue and atmosphere that is conducive to scientific discussion and brainstorming, and (3) to provide an opportunity for young investigators in the field to present their work and network with established investigators. The CIAP conferences use the Gordon Research Conference model of organization, which includes ample time for discussion within the program, ample unstructured time to encourage spontaneous informal discussions and brainstorming, and an isolated retreat location so that participants spend almost all their waking hours in the company of other conference participants.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The House Research Institute (HRI) contains a wide range of ear and vestibular research, from research on basic cellular and genetic mechanisms to clinical trials. HRI has pioneered many advances in the basic science of hearing as well as clinical innovation. One secret to HRI's success is that all research and clinical programs have the support of shared core facilities that provide expertise in engineering, imaging, clinical trias management, statistics, and animal management. Unlike a university environment, HRI has all this research breadth within a single building. For example, the same implant interface that allows researchers precision control of electric stimulation can also be used to test new stimulation strategies in a larger clinical population. Drug discovery and development occurs in the same laboratories that then design the clinical trials for those drugs. Technical infrastructur cores provide expertise across research areas and projects, enhancing HRI research capabilities. The vertical integration of research, from basic to applied, also promotes collaboration across this dimension, especially when they use common equipment and software developed by the core infrastructure. The present application requests continued funding for the HRI Core Center for Engineering. The purpose of this P-30 renewal grant is to expand and maintain the House Research Institute (HRI) Core Center's role in supporting a wide range of technical and other critical core services to over 16 independent investigators (9 of which are Qualifying Core Investigators) and their collaborators. The services of the HRI Core Center will continue to maintain state-of-the-art technical competence and expertise at HRI, foster interaction among HRI scientists, and as such, will help set and develop new research directions.

This application seeks partial support for the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Conferences on Implantable Auditory Prostheses (CIAP). The 2017 CIAP is scheduled to be held at the Granlibakken Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 12-17, 2017. The cochlear implant (CI) is the first neural prosthesis in widespread clinical application. It provides the only effective therapy for restoring sound sensation and speech understanding to the profoundly deaf. Over the past 20 years dramatic improvements in patients' performance with these devices have been achieved. Currently the average speech understanding score for implanted postlingually deafened adults is 80-100% correct. Congenitally deaf children who receive a CI prior to age 2 are achieving nearly normal rates of speech and language development with cochlear implants. CIs provide significant improvement in communication even in postlingually deafened adults who have significant residual acoustic hearing. The auditory brainstem implant, a variation on the cochlear implant that stimulates the cochlear nucleus, can provide speech understanding in children and adults who have no cochlear nerve. These advances have benefitted substantially from the collective efforts of researchers in a broad array of scientific disciplines, from engineering, materials science, and signal processing, to linguistics and cognition. This broad, interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation has been fostered in large part through this series of biennial research conferences, originating with a 1983 Gordon Conference. These conferences are the only forum related to cochlear implants in which scientific research issues are the sole focus. The long-term goal of this conference series is to generate new research ideas that will improve the design and function of auditory prostheses. The Specific Aims of this proposal are (1) to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest and highest quality basic research on cochlear implants and other auditory prostheses, (2) to provide a meeting venue and atmosphere that is conducive to scientific discussion, brainstorming, and social networking, and (3) to provide an opportunity for young investigators in the field to present their work and network with established investigators. The CIAP conferences use the Gordon Research Conference model of organization, which includes ample time for discussion within the program, ample unstructured time to encourage spontaneous informal discussions and brainstorming, and an isolated ?retreat? location so that participants spend almost all their waking hours in the company of other conference participants.