Auditory Pathway

The auditory pathway from the inner ear to the cerebral cortex is the central focus of our research. We investigate objective biomarkers that reflect the integrity and function of the auditory system. To this end, we employ a variety of measurement techniques that capture neural signals at different levels along the auditory pathway. These include intracochlear recordings—such as electrocochleography, impedance measurements, and electrically evoked compound action potentials—as well as recordings from the brainstem (auditory brainstem responses) and imaging markers of the brain, including cortical responses (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) and structural measures (magnetic resonance imaging, specifically diffusion tensor imaging). By identifying and validating such biomarkers, our aim is to better understand and ultimately optimize hearing outcomes in individuals with hearing loss and users of hearing implants.

Team members

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Weder

Team Leader, principal investigator

 

Dr. András Bálint

Postdoc

Field: Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Title: Predicting Speech Understanding in Cochlear Implant Candidates

 

Dr. Raphael Andonie

Postdoc

Field: Electrocochleography, impedance, electrically evoked compound action potentials
Title: Identifying Traumatic Events during Cochlear Implantation (I-TEC)

 

Benjamin Bircher, M.Sc.

PhD candidate

Field: Electrocochleography, impedance, electrically evoked compound action potentials
Title: Deep Electrophysiological Measurements of Intra-Cochlear Electrodes (Deep-EIE)

 

Hannes Hefty, MMed

Doctoral Candidate

Field: Electrocochleography (ECochG)
Title: Multitone Stimulation in Electrocochleography

 

Dr.sc.nat. Tom Gawliczek, PhD

Clinical collaborator

Field: Active middle ear implants
Title: Using Neurophysiological Markers to Predict the Coupling Efficiency of Active Middle Ear Implants

 

Alexandra Nuofer

Study Nurse

 

Alumni

  • Raphael Andonie, Dr. (completed PhD)
  • András Bálint, Dr. (completed PhD)
  • Klaus Schürch, Dr. (completed PhD)
  • Manuel Waser, Dr. med. (completed doctoral thesis)
  • Luca Sclabas, Dr med. (completed doctoral thesis)

Publications

Publication Year Type