Saeideh Mehrkian1, Zeinab Bayat2, Mohanna Javanbakht1, Hesamaldin Emamdjomeh3, Enayatollah Bakhshi4. 1. Department of Audiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Audiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: audiology1994@gmail.com. 3. Head and Neck Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Statistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although cochlear implantation has significantly contributed to the speech perception of cochlear implant (CI) users, these individuals still have significant difficulty in understanding speech, especially in noisy environments and keeping track of the target speaker in the presence of speech sounds of others. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of wireless Remote Microphones (RM) on speech discrimination scores in noise in child CI users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty children with unilateral cochlear implantation were enrolled in this study with mean ± SD age of 5.8 ± 0.83 years who have undergone CI for at least one year. Speech discrimination scores in noise were assessed using the Words-in-Noise (WIN) test at a constant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 0 dB, in the presence and absence of a wireless RM. Three loudspeakers were placed at a distance of 1 m in front of the child to present the speech and babble noise. The wireless microphone was placed on a base with a height equivalent to the height of the middle speech loudspeaker at a distance of 30 cm from it. FINDINGS: The mean speech discrimination score in noise in the absence of wireless RM in all children was obtained 34% (6.8 words out of 20 words), with minimum and maximum of 15% and 50% words. Findings revealed the mean speech discrimination score in noise in the presence of wireless RMs is equivalent to 65% (13 words out of 20 words), with the minimum and maximum scores of 35% and 95%, respectively. The result showed that speech discrimination scores in noise improved in the presence of wireless RM. CONCLUSION: The significant improvement was observed in speech discrimination in noise in all cochlear implanted children when the wireless RM was used, as compared to the absence of a wireless RM, which suggests the usefulness of this hearing aid accessory in CI users.
OBJECTIVES: Although cochlear implantation has significantly contributed to the speech perception of cochlear implant (CI) users, these individuals still have significant difficulty in understanding speech, especially in noisy environments and keeping track of the target speaker in the presence of speech sounds of others. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of wireless Remote Microphones (RM) on speech discrimination scores in noise in child CI users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty children with unilateral cochlear implantation were enrolled in this study with mean ± SD age of 5.8 ± 0.83 years who have undergone CI for at least one year. Speech discrimination scores in noise were assessed using the Words-in-Noise (WIN) test at a constant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 0 dB, in the presence and absence of a wireless RM. Three loudspeakers were placed at a distance of 1 m in front of the child to present the speech and babble noise. The wireless microphone was placed on a base with a height equivalent to the height of the middle speech loudspeaker at a distance of 30 cm from it. FINDINGS: The mean speech discrimination score in noise in the absence of wireless RM in all children was obtained 34% (6.8 words out of 20 words), with minimum and maximum of 15% and 50% words. Findings revealed the mean speech discrimination score in noise in the presence of wireless RMs is equivalent to 65% (13 words out of 20 words), with the minimum and maximum scores of 35% and 95%, respectively. The result showed that speech discrimination scores in noise improved in the presence of wireless RM. CONCLUSION: The significant improvement was observed in speech discrimination in noise in all cochlear implanted children when the wireless RM was used, as compared to the absence of a wireless RM, which suggests the usefulness of this hearing aid accessory in CI users.