Effects of automatic auditory scene classification on speech perception in noise and real-world functional communication in children using cochlear implants.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of automatic scene classification (SCAN) on speech perception in noise and real-world functional performance in children using cochlear implants (CIs).

Methods: We used a within-subjects repeated measures design in two studies. The first study assessed speech perception in noise with or without SCAN enabled in 25 school-aged children.

Understanding patient empowerment along the hearing health journey.

Objective: Related to the hearing health journey, this study aimed to: (i) explore how empowerment manifests itself from individuals' first awareness of hearing loss through to hearing aid fitting and then to becoming an active hearing aid user, (ii) identify points when the different dimensions of empowerment are most relevant, and (iii) conceptualise empowerment.

Design: A semi-structured interview study was conducted, followed by a template analysis of the data.

Study Sample: Adult hearing aid users from Sweden ( = 8) and Australia ( = 10) who had worn hearing aids for between 6 and 36 months.

The effect of cross-over frequency on binaural hearing performance of adults using electric-acoustic stimulation.

: To investigate the effect of varying cross-over frequency (CF) settings for electric-acoustic (EA) stimulation in one ear combined with acoustic (A) hearing in the opposite ear on binaural speech perception, localization and functional performance in real life. Performance with three different CF settings set according to audiometric-based criterion were compared, following a four week familiarisation period with each, in ten adult cochlear implant recipients with residual hearing in both ears. On completion of all trials participants selected their preferred CF setting.

Programming characteristics of cochlear implants in children: effects of aetiology and age at implantation.

Objective: We investigated effects of aetiology and age at implantation on changes in threshold (T) levels, comfortable (C) levels and dynamic range (DR) for cochlear implants (CIs) in children over the first five years of life.

Design: Information was collected at 6 months post-activation of CIs, and at 3 and 5 years of age.

Study Sample: One hundred and sixty-one children participating in the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study.