Current research with cochlear implants at Arizona State University

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CIs) offer significant auditory restoration but performance varies.
• Understanding factors influencing CI user success is crucial for improving audiological rehabilitation.
• Long-term research funding from NIH supports ongoing investigations into CI mechanisms and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss the clinical implications of five ongoing research projects at the Cochlear Implant Laboratory.
• To advance the understanding and performance of individuals using cochlear implants.
• To explore novel methods for assessing CI user experience and auditory function.

Main Methods:

• Norming the AzBio sentence test for speech perception assessment.
• Comparing bilateral and bimodal CI patient performance in simulated real-world listening scenarios.
• Investigating the contribution of low-frequency acoustic stimulation to bimodal CI benefit.
• Assessing sound localization in bilateral hearing aid users and its relevance to hearing preservation.
• Utilizing heart rate variability to quantify listening effort and stress associated with CI use.

Main Results:

• Ongoing projects aim to refine speech intelligibility measures (AzBio).
• Research is comparing the efficacy of different CI configurations (bilateral vs. bimodal) in complex auditory environments.
• Studies are quantifying the added benefit of acoustic stimulation for bimodal CI users.
• Investigating auditory localization abilities and their implications for hearing preservation strategies.
• Exploring physiological correlates of listening effort using heart rate variability.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed projects contribute to a comprehensive understanding of cochlear implant function and patient experience.
• Findings are expected to inform clinical practice and enhance rehabilitation strategies for CI users.
• Continued research is vital for optimizing audiological outcomes and addressing the challenges of auditory processing with CIs.