Effectiveness of the ForwardFocus Feature in Cochlear Implant Patients in Noisy Environments

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Speech and Hearing Sciences

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CI) are vital for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.
• Effective communication in noisy environments remains a challenge for many CI users.
• The ForwardFocus (FF) feature aims to improve speech perception by reducing unwanted noise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the ForwardFocus (FF) feature in cochlear implant (CI) users.
• To assess the impact of FF on speech comprehension in noisy settings.
• To determine user satisfaction and continued use of the FF feature.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 48 CI users (N7 or Kanso2 processors) was conducted over seven months.
• Participants were native Arabic speakers using the FF feature.
• Data collection included electronic surveys and clinical speech perception tests.

Main Results:

• ForwardFocus (FF) significantly improved speech perception in noise (p < 0.001).
• High user satisfaction was reported (80.4% satisfied or very satisfied).
• A strong intention to continue using FF was observed (97.8%), with most finding its noise reduction adequate (82.6%).

Conclusions:

• The ForwardFocus (FF) feature demonstrates a significant positive impact on speech perception in noisy environments for CI users.
• FF enhances user experience, leading to high satisfaction and continued use.
• FF is a valuable tool for improving communication and quality of life in individuals with hearing loss using cochlear implants.