AIMS: This paper uses a new method of speech testing where the hearing aid or cochlear implant (CI) users are tested in a more realistic listening situation. METHODS: Groups of 11 subjects matched for performance with 5 different CI systems, for a total of 55 subjects, were tested with an adaptive test regime where the presentation level of the speech signal roved by ±10 or ±15 dB. RESULTS: Speech reception thresholds varied widely between -4.8 and 17.3 dB with the ±15 dB roving condition being more difficult than the ±10 dB roving condition. We also found significant differences in speech reception threshold between groups using different devices. CONCLUSION: The test method used in our study, which attempts to test CI users in a more realistic listening situation, is sensitive to the effects of various subject-specific and technical parameters on everyday speech perception with CIs.
AIMS: This paper uses a new method of speech testing where the hearing aid or cochlear implant (CI) users are tested in a more realistic listening situation. METHODS: Groups of 11 subjects matched for performance with 5 different CI systems, for a total of 55 subjects, were tested with an adaptive test regime where the presentation level of the speech signal roved by ±10 or ±15 dB. RESULTS: Speech reception thresholds varied widely between -4.8 and 17.3 dB with the ±15 dB roving condition being more difficult than the ±10 dB roving condition. We also found significant differences in speech reception threshold between groups using different devices. CONCLUSION: The test method used in our study, which attempts to test CI users in a more realistic listening situation, is sensitive to the effects of various subject-specific and technical parameters on everyday speech perception with CIs.
Authors: Bart Vaerenberg; Geert De Ceulaer; Zoltán Szlávik; Patrizia Mancini; Andreas Buechner; Paul J Govaerts Journal: ScientificWorldJournal Date: 2014-03-16