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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
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Speech Understanding in Complex Listening Environments by Listeners Fit With Cochlear Implants.
Michael F Dorman1, Rene H Gifford2
1Department of Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, Tempe.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|October 20, 2017
Summary
Remote microphones and visual cues significantly improve cochlear implant (CI) speech understanding in noise. Bilateral CIs offer the best results in complex environments, especially when combined with these technologies.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) aim to restore hearing but speech understanding in noise remains a challenge.
- Complex listening environments, such as restaurants and cocktail parties, pose significant difficulties for CI users.
- Research is ongoing to identify effective strategies for enhancing speech perception in these demanding acoustic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions for improving speech understanding in complex listening environments for individuals with cochlear implants.
- To compare the benefits of visual information, microphone technologies, and different CI fitting configurations.
Main Methods:
- Participants with cochlear implants were tested in simulated restaurant and cocktail party environments.
- Interventions assessed included visual cues, adaptive beamformer/remote microphones, bimodal fittings, hearing preservation fittings, and bilateral cochlear implants.
- Speech understanding was measured under various conditions with different noise sources and competing speech.
Main Results:
- Remote microphones yielded the greatest improvement in speech understanding.
- Visual information and adaptive beamformers provided the next largest benefits.
- Bilateral cochlear implants were crucial for high speech understanding, particularly when sound sources moved.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral cochlear implants and hearing preservation surgery are recommended for optimal speech understanding in complex acoustic settings.
- Combining bilateral CIs with visual cues and microphone technology can significantly enhance speech intelligibility for CI users.
- These advancements offer improved communication capabilities for individuals with hearing loss in challenging auditory environments.
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