Craig A. Buchman, MD

Craig A. Buchman, MD, is actively involved in research in a number of hearing-related topics. Together with a number of co-investigators from UNC and abroad, he is actively studying topics such as cochlear nerve deficiency, auditory neuropathy, CMV-related hearing loss, inner ear malformations, and a number of hearing restorative device-related topics. In the field of cochlear implantation, Dr. Buchman and colleagues have been studying the effects of combining electrical stimulation from a cochlear implant with the natural acoustic signal from patients with preserved residual hearing following implant surgery in an attempt to improve hearing performance for patients. Also, ongoing investigations continue into the safety and efficacy of bilateral cochlear implants as well as the reliability of a variety of cochlear implant devices in both adults and children. Newer areas of study include a clinical trial for auditory brainstem implants (ABI) in adults without NF2 and use of the round window membrane for implantation of the Vibrant MedEl device for conductive and mixed hearing losses.

Investigators at UNC continue to be very interested in the field of auditory neuropathy in children. Here at UNC, we have a particularly robust clinical experience with this disorder as we are currently following more than 130 affected children. What is clear from our current research is that the findings of auditory neuropathy on hearing testing can be associated with a variety of medical conditions. We have learned that some children with auditory neuropathy can occasionally have absent or severely deficient cochlear nerves on MRI and that these children may not benefit from hearing restorative interventions. By contrast, most children with auditory neuropathy can benefit from either hearing aids or cochlear implants depending on their native hearing abilities. Identifying which children can benefit from the various intervention strategies is a major area of investigation.

In the areas of basic research, Drs. Buchman, Adunka and Pillsbury have launched a new area of investigation at UNC, evaluating intracochlear trauma from cochlear implant surgery in the human temporal bone model. This is an extension of Dr. Adunka's previous work prior to coming to UNC and promises to help surgeons and scientists develop surgical techniques and electrode arrays for future use. Dr. Buchman also is involved in a project attempting to record auditory-evoked electrophysiological responses using an intracochlear device in an attempt to better characterize hair cell and neural populations.