Impact of Reverberation on Speech Perception in Noise in Bimodal/Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users with and without Residual Hearing.

(1) : The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of reverberation on speech perception in noise and spatial release from masking (SRM) in bimodal or bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users and CI subjects with low-frequency residual hearing using combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS). (2) : In total, 10 bimodal, 14 bilateral CI users and 14 EAS users, and 17 normal hearing (NH) controls, took part in the study. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in unmodulated noise were assessed in co-located masker condition (S0N0) with a spatial separation of speech and noise (S0N60) in both free-field and loudspeaker-based room simulation for two different reverberation times.

Thematic coverage and readability of online patient information on cochlear implant care.

Introduction: The treatment of patients with a cochlear implant (CI) is usually an elective, complex and interdisciplinary process. As an important source of information, patients often access the internet prior to treatment. The quality of internet-based information regarding thematic coverage has not yet been analysed in detail.

Outcome Prediction of Speech Perception in Quiet and in Noise for Cochlear Implant Candidates Based on Pre-Operative Measures.

(1) Background: The fitting of cochlear implants (CI) is an established treatment, even in cases with considerable residual hearing but insufficient speech perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate a prediction model for speech in quiet and to provide reference data and a predictive model for postoperative speech perception in noise (SPiN) after CI provision. (2) Methods: CI candidates with substantial residual hearing (either in hearing threshold or in word recognition scores) were included in a retrospective analysis ( = 87).

Comparison of hearing performance in patients with borderline indication for active middle ear or cochlear implants: clinical outcomes to guide preoperative counseling and decision making.

Purpose: The aim of the presented study was to compare the audiological benefit achieved in cochlear implant (CI) patients who, in principle, could still have been treated with an active middle ear implant (AMEI) with a group of AMEI users.

Methods: Results of 20 CI patients with a pure-tone average (PTA) of 70 dB HL prior to surgery were compared with a group of 12 subjects treated with a Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB). Pre-surgical comparison included PTA for air conduction and bone conduction, maximum speech recognition score for monosyllabic words (WRSmax), and aided monosyllabic word recognition at 65 dB SPL.

Speech perception in modulated noise assessed in bimodal CI users.

Background: Although good speech perception in quiet is achievable with cochlear implants (CIs), speech perception in noise is severely impaired compared to normal hearing (NH). In the case of a bimodal CI fitting with a hearing aid (HA) in the opposite ear, the amount of residual acoustic hearing influences speech perception in noise.

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate speech perception in noise in a group of bimodal CI users and compare the results to age-matched HA users and people without subjective hearing loss, as well as with a young NH group.

[Speech perception in modulated noise assessed in bimodal CI users-German version].

Background: Although good speech perception in quiet is achievable with cochlear implants (CIs), speech perception in noise is severely impaired compared to normal hearing (NH). In the case of a bimodal CI fitting with a hearing aid (HA) in the opposite ear, the amount of residual acoustic hearing influences speech perception in noise.

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate speech perception in noise in a group of bimodal CI users and compare the results to age-matched HA users and people without subjective hearing loss, as well as with a young NH group.

Impact of processing-latency induced interaural delay and level discrepancy on sensitivity to interaural level differences in cochlear implant users.

Purpose: This study investigated whether an interaural delay, e.g. caused by the processing latency of a hearing device, can affect sensitivity to interaural level differences (ILDs) in normal hearing subjects or cochlear implant (CI) users with contralateral normal hearing (SSD-CI).

Exponential fitting of spread of excitation response measurements in cochlear implants.

Background: Hearing performance in cochlear implant (CI) users is variable. An objective measure which can allow a prediction of this performance is desirable. Spread of neural excitation (SoE) curves are an objective measure that can be obtained using the fitting software of cochlear implants and might be able to be used as a predictor.

Age Differences in Speech Perception in Noise and Sound Localization in Individuals With Subjective Normal Hearing.

Hearing loss in old age, which often goes untreated, has far-reaching consequences. Furthermore, reduction of cognitive abilities and dementia can also occur, which also affects quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the hearing performance of seniors without hearing complaints with respect to speech perception in noise and the ability to localize sounds.

Powered air-purifying respirators used during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly reduce speech perception.

Background: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, interventions in the upper airways are considered high-risk procedures for otolaryngologists and their colleagues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate limitations in hearing and communication when using a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) system to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and to assess the benefit of a headset.

Methods: Acoustic properties of the PAPR system were measured using a head and torso simulator.

Impact of Reverberation on Speech Perception and Sound Localization Accuracy in Cochlear Implant Users With Single-Sided Deafness.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of reverberation on sound localization accuracy and speech perception in noise between subjects with single-sided deafness using a cochlear implant (SSD-CI) and a normal-hearing control group.

Methods: Nine SSD-CI subjects and 21 normal-hearing subjects participated in the study. In Experiment 1, the sound localization accuracy was measured with and without reverberation.

Interleaved Acoustic Environments: Impact of an Auditory Scene Classification Procedure on Speech Perception in Cochlear Implant Users.

Clinical speech perception tests with simple presentation conditions often overestimate the impact of signal preprocessing on speech perception in complex listening environments. A new procedure was developed to assess speech perception in interleaved acoustic environments of different complexity that allows investigation of the impact of an automatic scene classification (ASC) algorithm on speech perception. The procedure was applied in cohorts of normal hearing (NH) controls and uni- and bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users.

Sensitivity to interaural time differences and localization accuracy in cochlear implant users with combined electric-acoustic stimulation.

Objectives: In this study, localization accuracy and sensitivity to acoustic interaural time differences (ITDs) in subjects using cochlear implants with combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) were assessed and compared with the results of a normal hearing control group.

Methods: Eight CI users with EAS (2 bilaterally implanted, 6 unilaterally implanted) and symmetric binaural acoustic hearing and 24 normal hearing subjects participated in the study. The first experiment determined mean localization error (MLE) for different angles of sound incidence between ± 60° (frontal and dorsal presentation).

Band-Limited Chirp-Evoked Compound Action Potential in Guinea Pig: Comprehensive Neural Measure for Cochlear Implantation Monitoring.

Objectives: Patients with severely impaired high-frequency hearing and sufficient residual low-frequency hearing can be provided with a cochlear implant (CI), thereby facilitating ipsilateral electric and acoustic stimulation with established advantages over electric stimulation alone. However, partial or complete hearing loss often occurred after implantation due to, inter alia, acute mechanical trauma to cochlear structures during electrode insertion. Possibilities of intraoperative monitoring using electrocochleography (ECochG) have recently been studied in CI patients, primarily using the ongoing response to low-frequency tone bursts consisting of the cochlear microphonic (CM) and the auditory nerve neurophonic.

Device profile of the MED-EL cochlear implant system for hearing loss: overview of its safety and efficacy.

Introduction: Patients suffering from severe to profound hearing loss or even deafness can achieve a hearing improvement with a cochlear implant (CI) treatment that is significantly higher than the results achieved with conventional hearing aids. The CI system consists of an implantable stimulator, which is inserted retro-auricularly into the mastoid, and an externally worn processor unit, which provides the pickup of sound and processing of acoustic information as well as the power supply for the stimulator and internal current sources. The stimulator has an electrode array that is inserted into the cochlea.

Pitch Matching in Cochlear Implant Users With Single-Sided Deafness: Effects of Electrode Position and Acoustic Stimulus Type.

Previous studies in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) have reported results of pitch comparisons between electric stimulation of their cochlear implant (CI) and acoustic stimulation presented to their near-normal hearing contralateral ear. These comparisons typically used sinusoids, although the percept elicited by electric stimulation may be closer to a wideband stimulus. Furthermore, it has been shown that pitch comparisons between sounds with different timbres is a difficult task and subjected to various types of range biases.

[Speech perception and cognitive abilities in seniors without subjective hearing loss].

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of elderly test subjects without self-reported hearing loss to perceive, hear and comprehend speech in quiet and noise. Furthermore, the effects of age and cognitive performance on hearing were also investigated.The study included 40 subjects aged over 60 years (average age: 69.

Speech perception in noise: Impact of directional microphones in users of combined electric-acoustic stimulation.

Objectives: Combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) is a well-accepted therapeutic treatment for cochlear implant (CI) users with residual hearing in the low frequencies but severe to profound hearing loss in the high frequencies. The recently introduced SONNETeas audio processor offers different microphone directionality (MD) settings and wind noise reduction (WNR) as front-end processing. The aim of this study was to compare speech perception in quiet and noise between two EAS audio processors DUET 2 and SONNETeas, to assess the impact of MD and WNR on speech perception in EAS users in the absence of wind.

Impact of Microphone Configuration on Speech Perception of Cochlear Implant Users in Traffic Noise.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of microphone configuration and noise reduction algorithm on speech perception of cochlear implant (CI) users in a moving noise setup.

Method: Eleven CI users provided with Advanced Bionics implant systems participated in this study. All tests were conducted with three different microphone settings: (a) omnidirectional behind the ear (BTE), (b) inside the pinna (ITP), and (c) adaptive directional microphone (adaptive beamformer, ABF).

[Investigation of the quality of hearing aid provision in seniors considering cognitive functions].

In the group of people over the age of 65, hearing loss is one of the most common health problems. To maintain communication skills in this population, adequate hearing aid fitting is essential. The aim of the present study is to review the quality of hearing aid provision in the elderly.

Hearing Preservation Outcomes After Cochlear Implantation Depending on the Angle of Insertion: Indication for Electric or Electric-Acoustic Stimulation.

Objective: This study reviewed outcomes of hearing preservation (HP) surgery depending on the angle of insertion (AOI) in a cochlear implant (CI) patient population who used electric stimulation (ES) or combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS).

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral university hospital.

A method for determining precise electrical hearing thresholds in cochlear implant users.

Objective: A psychoacoustic procedure designed for the precise assessment of perceptional threshold (T-level) in cochlear implant (CI) users is presented. The impact of this procedure on speech perception was investigated.

Design: Individual T-level measurements were obtained with the proposed procedure and three different speech processor fitting conditions were applied: (1) fitting familiar to the subject, T-levels unchanged, (2) T-level set to thresholds determined with the new procedure, (3) T-level set to thresholds determined with the new procedure, but T-level is decreased by 10 clinical units (CU).

[Impact of microphone position on sound localization in cochlear implant users].

Objective: The delivery of directional cues of a hearing device microphone are highly dependent on the position of the microphones. The aim of this work was the evaluation of different microphone positions with regard to the transmission of interaural time and level differences as well as the spectral characteristics and its impact on the localization abilities.

Methods: Head-related transfer functions of 30 subjects were measured with three different omnidirectional microphones at different positions: in the pinna (ITP), behind the ear (BTE), at the entrance of the ear canal (EEC).

Single-Sided Deafness: Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Speech Perception in Complex Noise and on Auditory Localization Accuracy.

Objective: To assess auditory localization accuracy and speech reception threshold (SRT) in complex noise conditions in adult patients with acquired single-sided deafness, after intervention with a cochlear implant (CI) in the deaf ear.

Study Design: Nonrandomized, open, prospective patient series.

Setting: Tertiary referral university hospital.

Effectiveness of Directional Microphones in Bilateral/Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users-Impact of Spatial and Temporal Noise Characteristics.

Objective: To measure speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in co-located (S0N0) and diffuse noise conditions (multi-source noise field, MSNF) and to assess the impact of beamforming algorithms in MSNF in cochlear implant (CI) users.

Study Design: Non-randomized, open, prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral cochlear implantation center.