Effect of modified programming parameters on sound field thresholds, speech perception and CAEP among children using...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Accurate programming of cochlear implant (CI) parameters, specifically Threshold (T) and Most Comfortable (C) levels, is vital for young children.
• Children may struggle to provide reliable behavioral feedback, necessitating objective measures for optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of modifying T and C levels on behavioral and Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) responses in pediatric CI users.
• To determine if CAEPs can serve as reliable indicators of programming changes.

Main Methods:

• Twenty participants with CI24RE (ST) implants and CP802 processors were enrolled.
• Experimental programs involved altering T or C levels; behavioral (sound field thresholds, speech perception) and CAEP measures were recorded.
• CAEPs included thresholds, amplitude, and latency for /ba/, /da/, /ga/ stimuli.

Main Results:

• Modifying T levels showed no significant effect on CAEPs or behavioral measures.
• Reducing C levels led to significantly poorer sound field thresholds, speech perception, and CAEP thresholds.
• A significant correlation was observed between behavioral and CAEP measures.

Conclusions:

• C levels, rather than T levels, are critical for optimizing auditory performance in pediatric CI users.
• Behavioral and CAEP responses effectively reflect changes in C levels and their impact on auditory measures.
• CAEPs offer a valuable objective tool for programming validation in young CI recipients.