No description available.

[Truncated abstract] The present study investigated whether any of the characteristics of the compound action potential (CAP) waveform or the spectrum of the neural noise (SNN) recorded from the cochlea, could be used to examine abnormal spike generation in the type I primary afferent neurones, possibly due to pathologies leading to abnormal hearing such as tinnitus or tone decay. It was initially hypothesised that the CAP waveform and SNN contained components produced by the local action currents generated at the peripheral ends of the type I primary afferent neurones, and that changes in these local action currents occurred due to changes in the membrane potential of these neurones. It was further hypothesised that the lateral olivo-cochlear system (LOCS) efferent neurones regulate the membrane potential of the primary afferent dendrites to maintain normal action potential generation, where instability in the membrane potential might lead to abnormal primary afferent firing, and possibly one form of tinnitus. We had hoped that the activity of the LOCS efferent neurones could be observed through secondary changes in the CAP waveform and SNN, resulting from changes in the membrane potential of the primary afferent neurones. The origins of the neural activity generating the CAP waveform and SNN peaks, and the effects of the LOCS on the CAP and SNN were experimentally investigated in guinea pigs using lesions in the auditory system, transient ischemia and asphyxia, focal and systemic temperature changes, and pharmacological manipulations of different regions along the auditory pathway. ... Therefore, the CAP and SNN are altered by changes in the propagation of the action potential along the primary afferent neurones, by changes in the morphology of the tissues surrounding the cochlear nerve, and by changes in the time course of the action currents. If the CAP waveform is not altered, the amplitude of the 1kHz speak in the spontaneous SNN can be used as an objective measure of the spontaneous firing rate of the cochlear neurones. However, because the SNN contains a complex mixture of neural activity from all cochlear neurones, and the amplitude of the spontaneous SNN is variable, it would be difficult to use the spontaneous SNN alone as a differential diagnostic test of cochlear nerve pathologies. To record extratympanic electrocochleography (ET ECochG) from humans, a custom-designed, inexpensive, low-noise, optically isolated biological amplifier was built. Furthermore, a custom-designed extratympanic active electrode and ear canal indifferent electrode were designed, which increased the signal-to-noise ratio of the ECochG recording by a factor of 2, decreasing the overall recording time by 75%. The human and guinea pig CAP waveforms recorded in the present study appeared similar, suggesting that the origins of the human and guinea pig CAP waveforms were the same, and that experimental manipulations of the guinea pig CAP waveform can be used to diagnose the cause of abnormal human ECochG waveforms in cases of cochlear nerve pathologies.

[Truncated abstract] The cochlea presumably possesses a number of regulatory mechanisms to maintain cochlear sensitivity in the face of disturbances to its function. Evidence for such mechanisms can be found in the time-course of the recovery of CAP thresholds during experimental manipulations, and in observations of slow oscillations in cochlear micromechanics following exposure to low-frequency tones (the “bounce phenomenon”) and other perturbations. To increase our understanding of these oscillatory processes within the cochlea, and OHCs in particular, investigations into cochlear regulation were carried out using a combination of mathematical modelling of the ionic and mechanical interactions likely to exist within the OHCs, and electrophysiological experiments conducted in guinea pigs. The electrophysiological experiments consisted of electrocochleographic recordings and, in some cases, measurement of otoacoustic emissions, during a variety of experimental perturbations, including the application of force to the cochlear wall, exposure to very-low-frequency tones, injection of direct current into scala tympani, and intracochlear perfusions of artificial perilymph containing altered concentrations of potassium, sodium, and sucrose. To obtain a panoramic view of cochlear regulation under these conditions, software was written to enable the interleaved and near-simultaneous measurement of multiple indicators of cochlear function, including the compound action potential (CAP) threshold, amplitude and waveshape at multiple frequencies, the OHC transfer curves derived from low-frequency cochlear microphonic (CM) waveforms, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), the spectrum of the round-window neural noise (SNN), and the endocochlear potential (EP). ... The mathematical model we have developed provided a physiologically-plausible and internally-consistent explanation for the time-courses of the cochlear changes observed during a number of different perturbations. We show that much of the oscillatory behaviour within the cochlea is consistent with underlying oscillations in cytosolic calcium concentration. We conclude that a number of the discrepancies between the simulation results and the experimental data can be resolved if the cytosolic calcium functions as two distinct pools: one which controls basolateral permeability and one which controls slow motility. This two-calcium-pool model is discussed.

Grâce à la miniaturisation de la technologie ainsi qu'a l'augmentation constante des capacités de calcul numérique, les méthodes objectives et les appareils de mesures de la physiologie auditive évoluent. C'est dans l'optique de créer de nouveaux outils diagnostics que la société Echodia a été créée en 2009. Celle-ci finance aujourd'hui mes recherches sous convention CIFRE.Les présents travaux proposent, dans une première partie, de présenter comment deux méthodes de mesures non invasives ont été mises en oeuvre pour être applicables au diagnostic de l'hydrops cochléaire. Les méthodes sont basées sur le fait que les réponses des cellules ciliées de la cochlée à des stimuli sonores dépendent de la position au repos de leur touffe de stéréocils. Or, l'hydrops cochléaire, l'une des principales caractéristiques de la maladie de Menière, est susceptible de venir perturber cet environnement. Une variation chimique ou mécanique de celui-ci peut ainsi être mise en évidence par différentes méthodes d'exploration objectives. La première est basée sur un enregistrement électrophysiologique. En étudiant le Potentiel de sommation (SP) de l'ÉlectroCochléoGraphie (ECochG), nous allons recueillir une image du tour basal de la cochlée. La deuxième méthode est basée sur un enregistrement acoustique dans le méat acoustique externe. En monitorant le déphasage des Produits de distorsion desoto-émissions acoustiques (DPOAE), nous allons enregistrer les réponses du tour apical de la cochlée.La deuxième partie est consacrée à une étude au cours de laquelle nous avons enregistré de manière concomitante le SP (basal) ainsi que le DPOAE (apical) chez 73 patients souffrant de vertiges de Menière, à proximité d'une attaque (n = 40) ou entre les attaques, sans symptômes cliniques (n = 33). Dans le cas des DPOAE, c'est la phase du produit de distorsion (PDA) à 2*f1-f2 qui a été étudiée en réponse à des sons stimulants de fréquence f1 = 1 kHz et f2 = 1,2 kHz. La puissance des deux fondamentaux a été fixée entre 70 et 75dB SPL en fonction du niveau du DPOAE. Le rapport entre SP et le Potentiel d’action global (AP) a, quant à lui, été mesuré de manière extra-tympanique en réponse à des clics de 95dB nHL. Ces deux mesures ont été effectuées plusieurs fois pendant un test de posture afin d'évaluer leur stabilité.Les limites normales de déphasage du DPOAE en réponse à la posture [-18 °, +38 °] ont été dépassées chez 75% des patients étant venus consulter à proximité d'une crise. Sur ces mêmes sujets, l'étude du ratio entre SP et AP a dépassé la valeur normale (<0,40) dans 60% des cas. De plus, chez les patients à proximité d'une crise de vertige, les deux types de mesures révèlent des fluctuations entre deux répétitions. Ces écarts mettent en évidence combien l'hydrops entrave le bon fonctionnement de la mécanique cochléaire. Le fait de constater des variations sur des échelles de temps aussi courtes pourrait expliquer la sensibilité imparfaite des tests diagnostics. En effet, les protocoles de mesure du SP ou des DPOAE nécessitent un moyennage des acquisitions qui, par définition, a tendance à niveler les fluctuations transitoires. / Thanks to technology miniaturization as well as digital computing abilities steadily increasing, objective measurement methods and their related devices evolve. Echodia company was created in 2009 with the goal to create new diagnostic tools. The company currently supports my research work through a CIFRE convention.The first part of this thesis presents two non-invasive measurement methods that have been implemented to the diagnosis of cochlear hydrops. The methods are based on the responses of cochlear hair cells to sound stimuli, depending themselves on the resting position of their stereocilia bundles. Cochlear hydrops, a hallmark of Meniere's disease, is likely to disturb this environment. A chemical or mechanical variation of this environment may be observed by various objective exploration methods. The first method is based on an electrophysiological recording. By studying the Summating Potential (SP) of the Electrocochleography (ECOG) we will register activity in the basal part of the cochlea. The second method is based on a sound recording in the external acoustic meatus. By monitoring the phase shifts of Distortion-Product OtoAcoustic Emissions (DPOAE), we will record the apical responses of the cochlea.The second part of this thesis focuses on a study in which we recorded concomitantly the SP (basal) and the DPOAE (apical) in 73 patients with Menière's disease, close to an attack (n = 40) or between attacks without clinical symptoms (n = 33). In the case of DPOAE, the phase at 2*f1-f2 has been studied in response to pure sinusoidal sounds at frequency f1 = 1 kHz and f2 = 1,2 kHz. The power of the two primary was set between 70 and 75dB SPL based on the level of the DPOAE. The SP to Action Potential (AP) ratio has been measured by extra-tympanic electrode in response to 95dB nHL clicks. These two measurements were performed several times during a postural test to evaluate their stability.The normal limit of the phase shift of the DPOAE during a postural test [-18 °, +38 °] was exceeded in 75% of patients near an attack. On these subjects, the study of the SP/AP ratio exceeded the normal value (<0.40) in 60% of cases. In addition, the two types of measurements made on patients near a vertigo attack reveal fluctuations between reiteration. These differences highlight how hydrops hinders the proper functioning of the cochlear mechanics. This short time scales fluctuations might explain the imperfect diagnostic sensitivity of SP and DPOAE tests, as averaging procedures would tend to level out transient fluctuations characteristic of hydrops.

La surdité professionnelle constitue un problème de santé publique important, avec une prévalence estimée de 10 à 16%. Les études animales ont mis en évidence une perte des synapses entre les cellules ciliées internes et le nerf auditif et des fibres auditives présentant une activité spontanée faible. Cette synaptopathie cochléaire se manifesterait avant la dégradation des seuils auditifs et la perte des cellules ciliées externes, étant ainsi un précurseur à la surdité professionnelle. L’audiogramme utilisé en milieu clinique ne permet pas de mesurer la synaptopathie cochléaire, se contentant seulement de quantifier la perte d’audibilité causée par l’exposition au bruit. Des études post-mortem humaines ont permis d’identifier une synaptopathie cochléaire, similaire à celle observée dans le modèle animal. Étant donné que la quantification des synapses chez l'humain vivant n'est pas possible, les chercheurs se sont concentrés sur le développement d’outils pouvant servir de marqueur indirect de la synaptopathie cochléaire. À cet égard, les résultats sont divergents d’une étude à l’autre. Il est possible que ces outils ne soient pas sensibles ou que l’exposition au bruit investiguée dans la littérature ne soit pas suffisante pour entraîner une synaptopathie cochléaire chez l’humain. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc d’évaluer les effets d’une exposition au bruit industriel continu et au bruit impulsionnel, qui pourraient s’avérer plus nocives et entraîner un processus précoce de synaptopathie cochléaire. Des individus présentant des seuils auditifs et des émissions otoacoustiques dans la normale ont été investigués à l’aide de mesures électrophysiologiques et psychoacoustiques. Dans la première étude, 40 participants exposés au bruit industriel continu et 40 participants sans exposition au bruit industriel continu ont été recrutés et évalués à l’aide d’un test de perception de la parole dans le bruit (SPiN) et de différentes composantes du potentiels évoqués auditifs du tronc cérébral (PEATC). L’exposition au bruit des participants a été mesurée par dosimétrie. Les résultats ne montrent pas d’association entre l’exposition au bruit et les variables du PEATC et du SPiN. Dans la deuxième étude, 27 participants militaires exposés au bruit impulsionnel et 13 participants sans exposition au bruit impulsionnel ont été recrutés. Les PEATC, l’électrocochléographie, le SPiN et la largeur des filtres auditifs rectangulaires équivalents (ERB) ont été mesurés. L’exposition au bruit des participants a été quantifiée à l’aide du Noise Exposure Structured Interview. Les résultats montrent une réduction de l’amplitude de l’onde I, un allongement de la latence de l’onde V, des performances réduites de SPiN et un ERB plus large à 4 kHz chez les militaires exposés au bruit impulsionnel, en comparaison aux participants sans exposition au bruit impulsionnel. Cette thèse est importante d’un point de vue de santé publique puisqu’elle suggère que certains outils cliniques simples, comme la mesure des filtres auditifs, pourraient permettre de détecter les premiers signes d’un dommage auditif avant l’apparition d’une surdité professionnelle mesurée par l’audiogramme. Les résultats renforcent l’importance de la sensibilisation aux risques induits par l’exposition au bruit afin de prévenir l’apparition des troubles de communication et des situations de handicap découlant de la présence d’une surdité professionnelle. / Occupational hearing loss constitutes an important public health problem, with an estimated prevalence of 10 to 16%. Animal studies have shown a phenomenon of synapses dysfunction between the inner hair cells and the auditory nerve and a preferential loss of low spontaneous rate auditory fibers. This cochlear synaptopathy manifests itself before the degradation of hearing thresholds and the loss of outer hair cells, thus being a precursor damage to occupational hearing loss. The audiogram used in a clinical setting does not measure cochlear synaptopathy, only quantifying the loss of audibility caused by noise exposure. In humans, post-mortem studies have identified a process of cochlear synaptopathy, similar to that observed in the animal model. Since quantification of synapses in living humans is not possible, researchers focused on developing a noninvasive measurement that could serve as an indirect marker for cochlear synaptopathy. Several tools have been proposed, but the results vary from one study to another. It is possible that these tools are not sensitive or that noise exposures investigated in the literature is not sufficient to cause cochlear synaptopathy in humans. The objective of this thesis is therefore to evaluate the effects of exposure to continuous industrial noise and impulse noise, which could prove to be more harmful and lead to an accelerated process of cochlear synaptopathy. To this end, individuals with normal hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emissions were investigated using electrophysiological and psychoacoustical measurements. In the first study, 40 participants with occupational noise exposure and 40 participants without occupational noise exposure were recruited and evaluated using a speech perception in noise (SPiN) test and different components of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Participants’ noise exposure was measured by dosimetry. The results do not show an association between noise exposure and the ABR and SPiN variables. In the second study, 27 military participants exposed to impulse noise and 13 participants without exposure to impulse noise were recruited. ABR, electrocochleography, SPiN and the equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) of auditory filters were measured. Participants' noise exposure was quantified using the Noise Exposure Structured Interview. Results show a reduced wave I amplitude, a lengthened wave V latency, a reduced SPiN performance, and a broader ERB at 4 kHz in military recruits exposed to impulse noise, compared to participants without exposure to impulse noise. This thesis is important from a public health point of view since it suggests that certain simple clinical tools, such as the measurement of auditory filters, might make it possible to detect the first signs of auditory damage before the onset of hearing loss measured by the audiogram. Results reinforce the importance of raising awareness to the risks induced by noise exposure in order to prevent the appearance of communication disorders and handicaps resulting from the presence of occupational hearing loss.