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Effect of exceeding compliance voltage on speech perception in cochlear implants
Aniket A Saoji1, Weston J Adkins1, Amy P Olund1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
Hearing Research
|November 30, 2020
Summary
Electrode impedance in cochlear implants can increase, leading to stimulation clipping and reduced speech perception. Even 15% clipping significantly impairs understanding in noise, highlighting the need for optimal electrical stimulation levels.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cochlear implant electrode impedance can increase over time, potentially exceeding device limits.
- Exceeding compliance voltage leads to electrical pulse clipping, negatively impacting hearing outcomes.
- Accurate electrode impedance measurement is crucial for setting effective stimulation parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of electrical stimulation clipping and level reduction on speech perception in cochlear implant users.
- To compare the effects of pulse clipping versus loudness reduction on speech understanding.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen cochlear implant users (Advanced Bionics HiRes 90k™) participated.
- Speech perception was assessed using AzBio sentences in quiet and noise under four conditions: 15%C, 30%C, 15%M, and 30%M.
- Results were compared to the patient's baseline clinical program.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in speech perception were observed in quiet for 30%C and 30%M conditions compared to baseline.
- In noise, significant reductions were found for 15%C, 30%C, and 30%M conditions.
- Pulse clipping (30%C) resulted in poorer outcomes than equivalent loudness reduction (30%M) in noise.
Conclusions:
- Even minor pulse clipping (15%) can significantly degrade speech perception in noise.
- Substantial clipping or loudness reduction (30%) negatively affects speech understanding in both quiet and noisy environments.
- Maintaining electrical stimulation within compliance voltage limits is essential for maximizing cochlear implant efficacy.
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