Objective methods in postlingually and prelingually deafened adults for programming cochlear implants: ESR and NRT.

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CIs) are crucial for hearing restoration in deafened adults.
• Accurate programming of CI devices is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
• Predicting optimal loudness levels objectively can improve CI fitting efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of neural response telemetry (NRT) and electrically evoked stapedial reflexes (eSR) in predicting cochlear implant programming levels.
• To investigate the relationship between objective measures (NRT, eSR) and subjective loudness judgments (C levels, Ts) in adult CI users.
• To determine if different correction factors are needed for prelingually versus postlingually deafened CI users.

Main Methods:

• Thirty prelingually and postlingually deafened adult Nucleus 24 CI users participated.
• Standard behavioral loudness judgments (C levels, Ts) were performed.
• Objective measures, NRT and eSR, were recorded and compared to behavioral data.

Main Results:

• Both NRT and eSR showed high correlation with subjective C levels.
• NRT results exhibited higher variability compared to eSR.
• Postlingually deafened users were more sensitive to program differences and preferred eSR-estimated levels.

Conclusions:

• NRT and eSR are reliable objective measures for predicting CI programming levels.
• Distinct correction factors for NRT and eSR are necessary for prelingually and postlingually deafened adults.
• eSR may offer a more stable and preferred objective measure for CI programming in some adult populations.