Clinical improvement of speech perception in noise with Automatic Sound Management 3.0

Cochlear implant (CI) users face significant challenges with the perception of speech in noise and in other complex acoustic environments. This study evaluated the effects of a new front-end signal processing framework, Automatic Sound Management 3.0 (ASM 3.0), on the perception of speech in noise by CI users tested with the RONDO 3 and SONNET 2 audio processors.

20 experienced CI users participated in this study. Speech perception in noise was evaluated in two speech-noise configurations: spatially co-located speech and noise (S₀N₀) and spatially separated speech and noise with multiple noise sources (S₀N_±90N₁₈₀). Performance was compared between ASM 3.0 and its predecessor ASM 1.0, as well as between the RONDO 3 and SONNET 2 audio processors. Two validated patient-reported instruments were administered to assess user experiences with the RONDO 3.

Compared to ASM 1.0, ASM 3.0 facilitated significant improvements to speech perception in spatially separated noise with both the RONDO 3 (mean SRT₈₀ improvement: 4.1 dB) and the SONNET 2 (mean SRT₈₀ improvement: 4.4 dB). ASM 3.0 did not yield significant improvements to speech perception in spatially co-located noise with the RONDO 3 (mean SRT₈₀ improvement: 1.2 dB) although this performance gain compares well with the one found for the SONNET 2 in other studies. RONDO 3 users reported high levels of satisfaction on the Audio Processor Satisfaction Questionnaire (mean total score: 8.7/10) and on self-reported hearing quality on the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI₁₉) (mean total score: 84.8/133).

ASM 3.0 facilitated substantial and clinically meaningful improvements in speech perception in spatially separated noise. Improvements were smaller and were not significant for speech perception in co-located noise. Use of the RONDO 3 generally lead to a high level of satisfaction with the processor and a high perceived sound quality in everyday life.