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Objective measure of binaural processing: Acoustic change complex in response to interaural phase differences
1Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Hearing Research
|May 19, 2024
Summary
This study explored using the acoustic change complex (ACC) to objectively measure binaural hearing sensitivity. Results show ACC can predict how well individuals benefit from combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) devices.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Speech and Hearing Science
Background:
- Combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) offers benefits for hearing aid users, but predicting individual outcomes is challenging.
- Existing methods to assess binaural cue sensitivity, crucial for EAS benefit, are time-consuming and not clinically feasible.
- Interaural time differences (ITD) and interaural phase differences (IPD) are key binaural cues, but direct clinical assessment is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acoustic change complex (ACC) as an objective measure of binaural cue sensitivity.
- To determine if ACC-based interaural phase difference (IPD) sensitivity correlates with behavioral interaural time difference (ITD) sensitivity.
- To assess the potential clinical utility of ACC for predicting EAS benefit.
Main Methods:
- Ten normal-hearing adults participated in the study.
- Objective binaural cue sensitivity was measured using the acoustic change complex (ACC) with imposed interaural phase differences (IPD).
- Behavioral interaural time difference (ITD) sensitivity was also assessed for comparison.
Main Results:
- ACC amplitude increased with increasing IPD.
- ACC-based IPD sensitivity at 250 Hz significantly correlated with behavioral ITD sensitivity.
- Sensitivity to IPDs was greater at 250 Hz than at 1000 Hz.
Conclusions:
- The acoustic change complex (ACC) shows promise as a quick and objective measure of binaural cue sensitivity.
- ACC-based IPD sensitivity may help identify patients likely to benefit from combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS).
- This objective measure could aid in pre- and post-operative assessments for cochlear implant candidates with preserved low-frequency hearing.
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