Development of Custom Sound® Pro software utilising big data and its clinical evaluation

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Software Development

Background:

• Cochlear implant (CI) fitting software requires optimization for user efficiency and patient outcomes.
• Big data analysis offers opportunities to refine fitting parameters and workflows.
• Understanding array-specific comfort (C) level profiles and Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) thresholds is crucial for accurate CI programming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize cochlear implant (CI) fitting software design using big data analysis.
• To define array-specific comfort (C) level profiles and frequently used MAP parameters.
• To determine the minimum Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) thresholds for accurate profile creation and evaluate software usability.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a large dataset of MAPs (N=39,885) from CI recipients (N=47) and clinicians (N=19).
• Evaluation of Custom Sound Pro software's ease of use and task completion time.
• Comparison of AutoNRT measurement times with new and previous algorithms.

Main Results:

• Distinct C-level profiles were identified for different electrode arrays (lateral-wall, contour, slim-modiolar).
• Most MAP parameters used default settings, with exceptions for Pulse Width, Rate, and Maxima.
• Nine tNRT measurements were needed for accurate C-level profiles; measurement time was comparable to the previous algorithm.
• High task completion rates (99%) by clinicians and perceived value of goal-setting by recipients (79.5%) were reported.

Conclusions:

• The Custom Sound Pro software, informed by big data, offers a guided fitting workflow and expected fitting ranges.
• The software enhances clinical efficiency, is user-friendly, and promotes patient-centered care in CI fittings.
• Data-driven insights enable more accurate and efficient cochlear implant programming.