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Restoring speech perception with cochlear implants by spanning defective electrode contacts
Johan H M Frijns1, Jorien Snel-Bongers, Dirk Vellinga
1ENT Department, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands. j.h.m.frijns@lumc.nl
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|January 9, 2013
Summary
Spanning, a technique for cochlear implants, effectively restores speech perception even with six defective contacts. This method maintains sound quality, ensuring comparable results to an intact electrode array for improved hearing outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Defective contacts in cochlear implants can reduce speech perception scores (SPS) with the HiRes 120 strategy.
- Spanning, or current steering on non-adjacent contacts, is a potential method to overcome contact failures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if spanning can restore speech recognition to the level of an intact electrode array.
- To assess the impact of spanning on sound quality in cochlear implant users.
Main Methods:
- Ten adult cochlear implant recipients using HiRes 120 participated.
- Simulated defective electrode arrays with up to six defective contacts were used.
- Speech perception scores and sound quality were evaluated after 3 weeks of using take-home strategies.
Main Results:
- Sound quality was rated as equal across all tested strategies.
- Speech perception in background noise remained consistent regardless of spanning.
- Speech perception in quiet decreased by 3% for each spanned contact, averaging 85% phonemes correct with a full array.
Conclusions:
- Spanning can largely restore speech perception with the HiRes 120 strategy, even with up to six defective contacts.
- The sound quality is not degraded by the spanning technique.
- Spanning offers a viable solution to maintain speech understanding in cochlear implant users with electrode array issues.