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Updated: May 25, 2026
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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
[Assessment of cochlear implant performance with Mandarin Hearing In Noise Test]
Ning Zhang1, Sha Liu, Juanjuan Xu
1Department of Otolaryngology, Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, 100005, China.
Summary
Cochlear implant (CI) patients showed significantly poorer speech perception in noise, requiring higher signal-to-noise ratios. The Mandarin Hearing In Noise Test (MHINT) with adaptive rules showed potential but highlighted challenges for CI users.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) aim to restore hearing but speech perception in noise remains a challenge.
- The Mandarin Hearing In Noise Test (MHINT) is a tool to assess auditory abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate speech perception in post-lingual CI patients using the MHINT.
- To determine the performance-intensity (P-I) function for CI users.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two post-lingual CI patients (ages 14-56) were tested using the MHINT adult version.
- Three adaptive rules were employed, progressing from Rule 3 to Rules 2 and 1 if successful.
- Reception threshold for sentences and speech recognition scores were obtained to generate P-I functions.
Main Results:
- Most CI users could be tested with modified HINT scoring rules, though some struggled even with Rule 3.
- All CI users' P-I functions were shifted 10 dB or more above normal hearing thresholds.
- A majority of CI users found the MHINT challenging.
Conclusions:
- Modified HINT scoring rules are feasible for most CI users, but not all.
- CI users consistently require positive signal-to-noise ratios for HINT measures, unlike normal-hearing individuals.
