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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Combined electric and acoustic hearing performance with Zebra® speech processor: speech reception, place, and
Cochlear Implants International
|January 17, 2013
Summary
Electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) significantly improves speech understanding in noise for cochlear implant users with residual hearing. EAS enhances temporal coding, leveraging phase-locking capacities for better low-frequency sound processing.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) offer auditory restoration for severe to profound hearing loss.
- Electric stimulation (ES) in CIs primarily relies on place coding.
- Electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) combines electric stimulation with acoustic amplification for residual low-frequency hearing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the auditory performance of Digisonic(®) cochlear implant users under electric stimulation (ES) versus electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS).
- To specifically assess the processing of low-frequency temporal fine structure in ES and EAS conditions.
- To investigate the role of phase-locking capacities in pitch discrimination.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with Digisonic(®) SP implants and low-frequency residual hearing participated.
- Participants underwent speech identification tests (quiet and noise) and pitch discrimination tasks.
- Auditory performance was assessed using ES only and then with EAS.
Main Results:
- Speech recognition in noise significantly improved with EAS compared to ES.
- Pitch discrimination showed remarkable improvement in the disharmonic intonation test with EAS, indicating enhanced coding of pitch cues requiring phase locking.
- No significant difference was observed between ES and EAS in the harmonic intonation test.
Conclusions:
- Patients with residual low-frequency hearing possess functional phase-locking capacities for processing temporal information.
- EAS provides superior low-frequency temporal coding compared to ES alone.
- Cochlear implant users with intact phase-locking abilities benefit from EAS for improved auditory perception.
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