Mandarin speech perception in nucleus CI 24 implantees using MAPs based on neural response telemetry

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CI) are vital for restoring hearing in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
• Electrode-specific programming (MAPs) is crucial for optimizing CI speech perception.
• Traditional behavioral programming relies on patient responses, which can be difficult in certain populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare speech perception outcomes in Mandarin-speaking Nucleus CI24 users between standard behavioral MAPs and NRT-based MAPs.
• To evaluate the efficacy of NRT-based MAPs as an alternative programming strategy.

Main Methods:

• Eight Mandarin-speaking Nucleus CI24 users (≥5 years) with adequate functioning electrodes and CI experience participated.
• Speech perception was assessed using three MAPs: traditional behavioral, NRT-predicted, and a combined NRT/behavioral MAP.
• Evaluations included word recognition in quiet and noise, and a Mandarin sentence test in quiet.

Main Results:

• Individual MAPs varied, with combined NRT/behavioral MAPs showing greater similarity to behavioral MAPs than purely NRT-based MAPs.
• No significant differences in mean speech perception scores were observed across the three MAP conditions.
• Speech performance with NRT-based MAPs was not inferior to traditional behavioral MAPs.

Conclusions:

• While behavioral and NRT-based MAPs are not identical, NRT-based MAPs provide comparable speech perception for Mandarin-speaking CI users.
• NRT-based MAPs are a viable and reliable initial estimation tool, particularly when behavioral MAPs are difficult to obtain.
• This approach is beneficial for populations such as very young children or individuals with multiple handicaps.