Evaluation of Two Spectro-Temporal Ripple Tests and Their Relation to the Matrix Speech-in-Noise Sentence Test in Cochlear Implant Recipients.

Objectives: Spectro-temporal ripple tests are commonly used in cochlear implant (CI) research as language-independent indicators of speech recognition (in noise) or as stand-alone tests. Test-retest reliability of these tests has been scarcely documented. We evaluated the test-retest reliability of spectral-temporally modulated ripple test (SMRT) and spectro-temporal ripple for investigating processor effectiveness (STRIPES) and correlated their findings to the Dutch/Flemish Matrix speech-in-noise sentence test (MST) in CI recipients. This is the first time spectro-temporal ripple tests are correlated to an MST.

Design: Take-home data from 15 participants over 2 test days were analyzed. Participants were fitted with their clinical speech encoding strategy (Advanced Bionics HiRes Optima) or a 14-channel non-steered monopolar strategy. Test-retest reliability was calculated through intraclass correlation coefficients and visualized through Bland Altman plots. Association of the spectro-temporal ripple tests with the MST was evaluated through linear regression analysis.

Results: The SMRT and STRIPES possessed a similarly rated "good" test-retest reliability (SMRT: ICC = 0.81, confidence interval = 0.67 to 0.92; STRIPES: ICC = 0.87, confidence interval = 0.76 to 0.95) and an identical linear relationship to speech recognition in noise (SMRT: R2 = 0.28, p = 0.04; STRIPES: R2 = 0.28, p = 0.04). Both tests revealed a stable variability between session 1 and 2 outcome scores on Bland Altman plots.

Conclusion: On the basis of our data, both spectro-temporal ripple tests possess similar test-retest reliability and a similar association with the MST. The SMRT and STRIPES can therefore both be used equally well as a quick indicator of across-listener differences in speech recognition in noise in CI recipients.