Fundamental and Clinical Study of Cochlear Synaptopathy

In humans, surface electrophysiological recording of the cochlear nerve in response to a sound stimulus provides information about the integrity and function of synapses (synaptic transmission) and nerve fibre function. However, this information remains global. The investigators have preliminary data showing that it is possible to extract and characterise the functional properties of nerve fibres during otoneurosurgery in humans, and therefore to isolate the neuronal sub-populations mentioned above more precisely than is currently possible. The use of these electrophysiological data from near-field recordings, i.e. in contact with the nerve, will enable the design and improvement of a mathematical model of the human cochlea. This model will provide access to the individual responses of each nerve fibre and fill the current gap in knowledge between the functioning of these fibres and global surface recordings.