Temporal cue based categorization and speech perception in noise among pediatric cochlear implant users

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Voice onset time (VOT) is a critical temporal cue for speech perception.
• The role of VOT in speech-in-noise tasks for children with cochlear implants (CI) is understudied.
• Understanding temporal processing is crucial for optimizing CI outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the performance of children with unilateral CI on a temporal cue-based syllable categorization test.
• To assess speech perception in noise in children with unilateral CI.
• To examine the relationship between temporal cue categorization and speech-in-noise performance in this population.

Main Methods:

• A temporal cue-based syllable categorization test manipulating VOT was developed.
• Thirty children with unilateral CI and thirty normal-hearing children (ages 5-7) were tested.
• Participants completed the categorization test and a Marathi speech-in-noise test at 0 and 5 dB SNR.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found between CI users and normal-hearing children on both tests.
• Implant age moderately correlated with categorization and speech-in-noise scores at 0 dB SNR, and strongly at 5 dB SNR.
• A moderate correlation existed between temporal cue categorization and speech-in-noise scores.

Conclusions:

• Temporal cues are vital for speech perception in children with CI.
• Temporal processing abilities are essential for effective speech-in-noise function in this group.
• Longer implant duration is associated with better speech perception outcomes.