A gel-filled model of a human head will let researchers measure how cochlear implants actually trigger the brain’s response to sound. Cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and stimulate the auditory nerve directly. But programming them is a guessing game, especially for infants or people who cannot describe what they hear. Current tests do not reliably show whether the brain is perceiving sound correctly, making it hard to fine-tune the device. The researchers will build realistic physical models—called EEG phantoms—that mimic the head’s tissues and electrical properties. Starting with a simple gel layer, they will progress to a multi-layered 3D-printed skull, brain, and scalp, then add artificial nerve signals to simulate real brain activity. If the phantoms work, clinicians could measure neural responses directly and adjust each implant to the individual. That would be a major improvement for children and non-verbal patients. In the longer term, the models could help develop “smart” cochlear implants that automatically optimise their settings, and provide a test bed for diagnosing hardware faults. The work is applied engineering—it does not uncover new biology—but it could make an existing technology far more precise and reliable.
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Background Cochlear implants provide access to sound for people with severe to profound hearing loss. They use electrical signals to directly stimulate the auditory (hearing) nerve, which carries sound information from the ear to the brain. This direct stimulation bypasses damaged parts of the cochlea (the organ of hearing in the ear) that are not working. Programming a cochlear implant to meet the individual needs of its user can be challenging, especially for infants and those unable to communicate effectively. Current methods of measuring how well cochlear implants are working do not always accurately reflect how sounds are being perceived in the brain and make it difficult to adjust them effectively. In this project, the researchers will try to solve this issue by creating a model that can reproduce the brain’s response to sound through the cochlear implant itself. Aim The goal of this project is to develop realistic physical models of the human head, called EEG phantoms, that mimic how cochlear implants interact with the auditory (hearing) system. These models will help researchers to improve how the brain’s responses to sound are measured, allowing cochlear implants to be programmed more precisely and effectively. The research will take place in three stages: Stage 1: Create a simple, single-layer model of the human head using gel-like materials to represent human tissue. Stage 2: Build a more detailed, multi-layered model that includes separate brain, skull, and scalp layers, using advanced materials and 3D printing techniques. Stage 3: Incorporate artificial nerve signalling into the model to simulate real brain activity, allowing the models to be used as testing platforms for cochlear implant programming. The models will be rigorously tested to ensure they accurately represent human anatomy and electrical activity. Benefit This research will make cochlear implants more effective and easier to use. By enabling direct and accurate measurements of how people perceive sound, clinicians will be able to better tailor implants to each person’s needs. This is particularly important for young children and others who cannot provide feedback on how they are hearing through their implant during programming. In the long term, this work could lead to “smart” cochlear implants that can automatically adjust their settings to optimise a person’s hearing. Additionally, the models will help diagnose and fix issues with cochlear implants, ensuring their consistent and reliable performance. These advancements will significantly improve the quality of life for people using cochlear implants, helping them engage more fully with the world around them.
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