Faculty Collaboration Database

More challenging speech-perception tasks demonstrate binaural benefit in bilateral cochlear implant users. Ear Hear 2007 Apr;28(2 Suppl):80S-85S

Date

05/15/2007

Pubmed ID

17496654

DOI

10.1097/AUD.0b013e3180315117

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34247581296 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   51 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Preliminary studies show that bilateral cochlear implantation improves speech-recognition ability in many subjects; however, the magnitude of this improvement has been variable. The objective of our research was to explore means to better differentiate the binaural benefit that many patients who receive bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) describe.

HYPOTHESIS: Binaural improvements in speech-perception performance will be consistently evident across patients when they are tested in more challenging listening situations.

DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical study. Speech-perception performance was compared between the unilateral and bilateral cochlear implant conditions. Because the purpose was to investigate testing parameters that would demonstrate binaural benefit, word- and sentence-recognition tests were administered under several stimulation conditions: with and without noise and at three presentation levels. In addition, all subjects completed the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit as a measure of subjective benefit. Subjects were adult cochlear implant recipients. Three device manufacturers were represented (Advanced Bionics Corporation, Cochlear Americas, and the Med-El Corporation); three patients received simultaneous implantation, and the other four patients received sequential CIs. The setting was a comprehensive cochlear implant program/tertiary referral center. The main outcomes measures were speech-recognition scores in percent correct, mean score difference for unilateral versus bilateral conditions, and subjective benefit scores.

RESULTS: The most significant improvements in binaural cochlear implant use were found when subjects were tested with sentence material presented at 60 dB SPL with a +8 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Six of seven subjects showed significant binaural improvement, with a mean improvement score of 12.43% (SD = 5.32). All subjects preferred the binaural listening condition. Measured improvements in quality of life were seen.

CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary study findings suggest that significant cochlear implant binaural benefit in speech perception may be observed when testing in more difficult listening situations (i.e., lower presentation levels and in noise). According to the outcome of our study, testing the binaural benefit of CIs requires consideration of suitable test materials and stimulation parameters.

Author List

Wackym PA, Runge-Samuelson CL, Firszt JB, Alkaf FM, Burg LS

Author

Christina Runge PhD Associate Provost, Chief, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Cochlear Implants
Female
Hearing Loss, Bilateral
Hearing Loss, Unilateral
Humans
Male
Prosthesis Design
Quality of Life
Speech Discrimination Tests
Speech Perception