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Pitch adaptation patterns in bimodal cochlear implant users: over time and after experience
Lina A J Reiss1, Rindy A Ito, Jessica L Eggleston
1Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Ear and Hearing
|October 17, 2014
Summary
Bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users show varied pitch adaptation patterns, with those retaining more residual hearing more likely to adapt. Less residual hearing is linked to no adaptation or a pitch-dropping pattern.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Pitch plasticity, the ability to adapt pitch perception, is known in Hybrid cochlear implant (CI) users.
- Understanding pitch plasticity in bimodal CI users with traditional long-electrode devices is crucial for optimizing hearing rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pitch adaptation patterns in long-electrode CI users.
- To correlate these patterns with electrode discrimination and speech perception outcomes.
- To identify subject factors associated with different pitch adaptation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Electric-to-acoustic pitch matches were assessed in two groups of bimodal CI users.
- Measurements were taken over time (up to 12 months) and in a single visit after long-term CI experience (≥24 months).
- Audiometric thresholds, electrode discrimination, and speech perception were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Three pitch adaptation patterns were identified: pitch-adapting/matched-pitch, pitch-dropping/low-pitch, and pitch-unchanging/nonmatched-pitch.
- Bimodal CI users, unlike Hybrid CI users, predominantly showed pitch-dropping/low-pitch or pitch-unchanging/nonmatched-pitch patterns.
- Better low-frequency hearing was associated with pitch-adapting/matched-pitch patterns; electrode discrimination changes were not linked to pitch changes.
Conclusions:
- Bimodal CI users with more residual hearing may adapt pitch perception similarly to Hybrid CI users.
- Bimodal CI users with less residual hearing exhibit non-adaptive or pitch-dropping patterns.
- Speech perception may rely more on pitch perception and inter-electrode pitch discrimination than on timbre.
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