Physicians

Director, Duke Cochlear Implant Program

Department / Division
Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Address
DUMC 3805
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
919-684-3834, 800-385-3646

Office Telephone
919-684-6968

Fax Telephone
919-684-9108

Training

• MD, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1985

Residency

• Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, 1986-1990

Fellowship

• Otology-Neurotology-Skull Base Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1990-1992

Other Training

• MS, Audiology, University of Michigan, 1977

Clinical Interests
Evaluation and management of pediatric patients with all types of ear disease and hearing/balance disorders; middle-ear disease, including tympanic membrane perforations, cholesteatoma, conductive hearing loss; evaluation of sensorineural hearing loss and treatment with hearing aids, cochlear implants

Research Interests

The focus of current research efforts is in defining the effects of conductive hearing impairment on the development and function of the central auditory system. The ultimate goal of this research is to understand the impact of hearing loss, such as that associated with otitis media, on the development of auditory function in children. Experiments are currently being performed in which central auditory system activity is studied using the 2-deoxyglucose method following unilateral neonatal conductive hearing loss. Future experiments will examine changes in cell structure and interneuronal connections following acute and chronic conductive hearing loss in both neonatal and adult animals.

A second research program is focused on issues related to the cochlear implant. The cochlear implant is a device which allows for electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in profoundly deaf patients. It has previously been demonstrated in animal studies as well as in human tissue histopathology that degeneration of central auditory pathways occurs following severe damage to the inner ear. It has been suggested that the introduction of electrical stimulation via a cochlear implant may prevent or reverse some of these degenerative changes. Experiments conducted previously examined this issue in the neonatally and adult deafened rat. Tissue analysis is currently undergoing completion.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations (What's this?)

This faculty member has no reported relationships with industry.

Representative Publications
Alexander, MJ; Smith, TP; Tucci, DL. Treatment of an iatrogenic petrous carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with a Symbiot covered stent: technical case report. Neurosurgery. 2002;50:658-662. (2002) Abstract

Asaoka, K; Barrs, DM; Sampson, JH; McElveen, JT; Tucci, DL; Fukushima, T. Intracanalicular meningioma mimicking vestibular schwannoma. American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2002;23:1493-1496. (2002) Abstract

Cook, RD; Hung, TY; Miller, RL; Smith, DW; Tucci, DL. Effects of conductive hearing loss on auditory nerve activity in gerbil. Hearing Research. 2002;164:127-137. (2002) Abstract

Tucci, DL; Farmer, JC; Kitch, RD; Witsell, DL. Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with systemic steroids and valacyclovir. Otology and Neurotology: an international forum. 2002;23:301-308. (2002) Abstract

Tucci, DL; Cant, NB; Durham, D. Effects of conductive hearing loss on gerbil central auditory system activity in silence. Hearing Research. 2001;155:124-132. (2001) Abstract

Tucci, DL. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a viral etiology?. Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2000;126:1164-1165. (2000) Abstract