Speech Perception Outcomes in Cochlear Implant Users Undergoing Remote Versus In-Person Programming: A Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otolaryngology
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Remote cochlear implant (CI) programming enhances patient convenience and addresses geographic disparities in care.
• In-person CI programming remains necessary for specific situations, but the impact on speech recognition requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a literature review comparing speech recognition outcomes between remote and in-person CI programming.
• To assess the potential advantages of remote CI programming in speech understanding.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases.
• Included studies involved CI recipients aged 12 years or older, comparing remote and in-person programming groups.
• Standardized mean differences (SMD) of speech recognition outcomes (word and sentence recognition) were pooled using random effects models.

Main Results:

• Seven studies with 123 CI users were included.
• Speech recognition in quiet was similar for both remote and in-person programming for word lists (SMD: -0.06) and sentences (SMD: -0.28).
• No studies were designed as non-inferiority analyses.

Conclusions:

• Remote CI programming demonstrates no detectable difference in speech recognition outcomes compared to in-person programming.
• Future research should focus on non-inferiority studies to further support the expansion of remote CI programming.
• Remote programming can improve convenience and reduce geographic barriers to CI care.