Performance benefits for adults using a cochlear implant with adaptive dynamic range optimization (ADRO): a...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CIs) aim to restore hearing in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
• Standard MAP settings may not optimize speech recognition in all listening conditions for all CI users.
• Advanced signal processing strategies are continuously explored to enhance CI performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the speech recognition benefits of adaptive dynamic range optimization (ADRO) preprocessing strategy.
• To compare ADRO MAP with standard MAP in experienced German-speaking Nucleus 24 CI users.
• To assess both quantitative and qualitative improvements in speech perception.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, single-subject, comparative study design.
• Fifteen experienced adult CI users trialed both standard and ADRO MAPs over 5 weeks.
• Speech recognition tested in quiet and noise, with subjective assessments of loudness and speech understanding.

Main Results:

• ADRO MAP significantly improved speech reception thresholds (SRT) in quiet by 2.9-3.3 dB (p<0.008).
• ADRO MAP significantly improved the mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in noise by 1.74 dB (p=0.048).
• No significant differences in loudness perception; 35% preferred ADRO MAP for speech understanding.

Conclusions:

• ADRO preprocessing offers significant speech recognition benefits in quiet and noise for CI users.
• ADRO MAP is a viable option, showing no performance reduction and potentially enhancing speech perception.
• ADRO MAP is recommended as an additional program option for CI users to maximize auditory benefits.