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Hearing

Hearing

When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.

The Cochlea

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.

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Related Experiment Video

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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages

Published on: March 24, 2023

Simultaneous communication supports learning in noise by cochlear implant users.

Helen Blom¹, Marc Marschark^2,3, Elizabeth Machmer²

¹a Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University and Royal Dutch Kentalis , P.O. Box 9104, Nijmegen 6500 HE , The Netherlands.

Cochlear Implants International

|December 25, 2016

Summary

Using sign-supported speech alongside spoken language significantly improves comprehension for cochlear implant (CI) users in noisy environments. This simultaneous communication approach offers benefits when auditory information is challenging.

Keywords:

Classroom acoustics Cochlear implant Deaf learners Simultaneous communication

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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

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Area of Science:

Audiology
Linguistics
Rehabilitation Science

Background:

Cochlear implant (CI) users often face challenges with speech recognition and comprehension in noisy environments, common in educational settings.
Current educational practices for CI users primarily rely on spoken language, which can be insufficient in adverse acoustic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous communication (SimCom), combining spoken language and sign language, in enhancing speech recognition and comprehension for CI users in noise.
To determine if SimCom can improve learning outcomes for CI users in challenging listening situations.

Main Methods:

Forty-eight college students with active CI use participated.
Participants viewed presentations in three conditions: spoken language only, spoken language with background noise, and simultaneous communication with background noise.
Comprehension was assessed using standardized open-ended questions; language skills were evaluated via self-reports and objective measures.

Main Results:

Simultaneous communication significantly improved comprehension scores compared to spoken language alone in noise.
Receptive spoken language skills were a significant predictor of performance across all conditions.
Receptive sign language skills and age of implantation did not significantly predict performance.

Conclusions:

Simultaneous communication offers a viable strategy to enhance learning and comprehension for CI users in noisy educational settings.
The redundancy provided by combining speech and signs can mitigate the reduced fidelity of auditory information in noise for CI users proficient in sign language.
Further research is needed to explore factors influencing SimCom effectiveness, including receptive skills, acoustics, and material complexity.