BackgroundCochlear Duct Length (CDL) has been an important measure for the development and advancement of cochlear implants. Emerging literature has shown CDL can be used in preoperative settings to select the proper sized electrode and develop customized frequency maps. In order to improve post-operative outcomes, and develop new electrode technologies, methods of measuring CDL must be validated to allow usage in the clinic.PurposeThe purpose of this review is to assess the various techniques used to calculate CDL and provide the reader with enough information to make an informed decision on how to conduct future studies measuring the CDL.ResultsThe methods to measure CDL, the modality used to capture images, and the location of the measurement have all changed as technology evolved. With recent popularity and advancement in computed tomography (CT) imaging in place of histologic sections, measurements of CDL have been focused at the lateral wall (LW) instead of the organ of Corti (OC), due to the inability of CT to view intracochlear structures. After analyzing results from methods such as directly measuring CDL from histology, indirectly reconstructing the shape of the cochlea, and determining CDL based on spiral coefficients, it was determined the three dimensional (3D) reconstruction method is the most reliable method to measure CDL. 3D reconstruction provides excellent visualization of the cochlea and avoids errors evident in other methods. Due to the number of varying methods with varying accuracies, certain guidelines must be followed in the future to allow direct comparison of CDL values between studies.ConclusionAfter summarizing and analyzing the interesting history of CDL measurements, the use of standardized guidelines and the importance of CDL for future cochlear implant developments is emphasized for future studies.

The newly proposed equations for LW and OC provided an improvement over past equations for determining CDL from the A value by showing improved agreement with reference values. Therefore, these equations can provide quick and accurate preoperative estimates of CDL for improving customized frequency mapping.

Background: Probe tube placement is an important skill audiologists must learn to make real-ear measurements in an audiology clinic. With current evidence-based guidelines recommending insertion of the probe tube within 5 mm of the tympanic membrane (TM) for proper acoustical measurements, students must be well trained to ensure they are capable to perform this placement in clinical practice. This is not always the case as it has been found that real-ear measurements are not performed in a clinic as often as required. To address this, a simulator consisting of a 3D-printed ear model and an optical tracking system was developed to provide a training system for students to practice probe tube placement and to provide a method to evaluate competency before starting clinical practicum placements. Two simulators were developed, an adult model and a pediatric model. Purpose: To assess the face and content validity of the two probe tube placement simulators (adult and pediatric) and define barriers and facilitators to implementing this system into an educational setting. Research Design: Participants followed the setup and operating instructions designed to guide them through each functionality of the simulator. A questionnaire was used to assess face and content validity, applicability to an educational setting, and to determine perceived barriers and facilitators to using the probe tube simulators for training purposes. Five additional probe tube placements with each simulator were performed in which distance-to-TM was recorded. Study Sample: Twelve participants with significant probe tube placement experience. Data Collection and Analysis: Participants rated each question in the questionnaire from 0% to 100% depending on their level of agreement. Averages and standard deviations (SDs) were compiled and presented for each section (face validity, content validity, and applicability to an educational setting). Final facilitators and barriers for the simulator were compiled and the top answers of each are presented. The five quantitative probe tube placement measurements for each participant were averaged, SDs were calculated, and contacts with the TM while placing the probe tube were recorded. Results: The average face validity score over all questions for the adult model was 65% (SD = 18.2) whereas the pediatric model received a score of 64% (16.4). The overall content validity average score was 78.7% (17) and applicability to an educational setting had an average score of 80% (5.33). The average distance-to-TM across all trials and participants was 3.74 mm (1.82) for the adult model and 2.77 mm (0.94) for the pediatric model with only one participant exceeding the recommended maximum of 5 mm. Listed shortcomings of the current simulator included realism of the 3D-printed ear, ease of insertion of an otoscope tip into the ear, ability to visualize the ear canal ?landmarks? and the TM, and foam tip insertion experience. Conclusions: Results were generally very positive for the simulator, and future...

Objectives/Hypothesis Nasopharyngeal swabs currently remain the gold standard for COVID‐19 sample collection. A surge in testing volume has resulted in a large number of health care workers who are unfamiliar with nasal anatomy performing this test, which can lead to improper collection practices culminating in false‐negative results and complications. Therefore, we aimed to assess the accuracy and educational potential of a realistic 3D‐printed nasal swab simulator to expedite health care workers' skill acquisition. Study Design Prospective pre‐post interventional study. Methods A nasal swab task trainer (NSTT) was developed to scale from computed tomography data with a deviated septum. Frontline workers at COVID‐19 testing sites in Ontario, Canada, were recruited to use the NSTT for nasopharyngeal swab training. Integrated video recording capability allowed participants to self‐evaluate procedure accuracy. A five‐point Likert scale was collected regarding the NSTT's educational value and procedural fidelity. Results Sixty‐two frontline workers included in the study were primarily registered nurses (52%) or paramedics (16%). Following simulator use, self‐assessed accuracy improved in 77% of all participants and 100% of participants who expressed low confidence before training. Ninety‐four percent reported that the NSTT provided a complete educational experience, and 82% regarded the system as a more effective training approach than what is currently available. Eighty‐one indicated that the simulator should be used at all COVID‐19 testing sites, with 77% stating province‐wide implementation was warranted. Conclusions The nasal swab task trainer is an effective educational tool that appears well‐suited for improved skill acquisition in COVID‐19 testing and may be useful for training other nasal swab applications. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 2022

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