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Speech perception in noise with implant and hearing aid
1Cooperative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant, Speech, Australia.
The American Journal of Otology
|December 10, 1997
Summary
Adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss using a cochlear implant (CI) alone or with a hearing aid showed improved speech perception when using both devices. The combined approach was particularly beneficial in noisy environments.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are effective for severe-to-profound hearing loss.
- Some CI users retain residual hearing in the non-implanted ear.
- The benefit of combining CIs with hearing aids (HAs) for these individuals is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare speech perception in quiet and noise for adults using a CI alone versus a CI and HA together.
- To evaluate the binaural advantage of combined CI and HA fitting.
Main Methods:
- Repeated measures laboratory study.
- Participants: Australian and American adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss using CIs and some residual hearing.
- Intervention: Conventional HA in one ear, CI in the other.
- Outcome: Speech perception using CUNY sentences and CNC words in quiet and noise.
Main Results:
- Speech perception scores were significantly higher with the combined CI and HA fitting compared to CI alone.
- The binaural advantage was more pronounced in background noise than in quiet for American listeners.
Conclusions:
- Severely-to-profoundly hearing impaired adults may benefit from a combined fitting of CIs and conventional HAs in opposite ears.
- This approach can enhance speech understanding, especially in challenging listening conditions.