Outcome evaluation on cochlear implant users with residual hearing

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• Hybrid Hearing combines acoustic and electric stimulation for cochlear implant (CI) users.
• Assessing advanced sound processors is crucial for optimizing hearing outcomes.
• Evaluating upgrades for experienced CI users with residual hearing is important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of the Freedom™ Hybrid™ and CP900 series sound processors with Hybrid Hearing.
• To assess the feasibility of upgrading experienced electric-only CI users to Hybrid Hearing.

Main Methods:

• A single-centre prospective, non-inferiority study with a randomized AABB cross-over design.
• Two groups were used: Group 1 compared two Hybrid Hearing systems; Group 2 compared electric-only vs. Hybrid Hearing in experienced CI users.
• Speech perception tests and patient-reported outcomes were utilized.

Main Results:

• The CP900 series processor showed equivalent or superior performance, with a statistically significant improvement in background noise (1.87 dB).
• Speech understanding in quiet showed a trend towards better performance with the CP900 series (5% improvement).
• The feasibility group showed an average benefit of 0.54 dB in background noise with Hybrid Hearing vs. electric-only.

Conclusions:

• The CP900 series sound processor with Hybrid Hearing is effective for participants with residual hearing.
• Positive outcomes include improved speech understanding and subjective hearing.
• The CP900 series is recommended for current electric-only CI users on a case-by-case basis.