Rosanne Abrahamse1, Andy Beynon2, Vitoria Piai3. 1. Radboud University, Donders Centre for Cognition, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, Netherlands. Electronic address: rosanne.abrahamse@hdr.mq.edu.au. 2. Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philips van Leijdenlaan 15, 6525 EX Nijmegen, Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, Netherlands. 3. Radboud University, Donders Centre for Cognition, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Long-term outcomes of early implanted, young adult cochlear implant (CI) users remain variable. We measured auditory discrimination by means of event-related potentials in this population to examine whether variability at the level of cortical auditory processing helps to explain speech abilities. METHODS: Using an auditory oddball paradigm, the P300 and Mismatch Negativity (MMN) were measured in 8 young adult CI users and 14 normal-hearing peers. We related P300 amplitude and latency to clinical speech perception scores in quiet and to duration of deafness. RESULTS: All individuals showed P300 responses. The MMN response was less robust in both groups. There was no evidence for differences in P300 responses between CI users and controls. P300 amplitude was associated with speech perception scores (r = 0.70, p = .05) and duration of deafness (r = -0.83, p = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Early CI implantation yields good auditory processing outcomes at young adult age and, in contrast to MMN, the P300 provides a robust measure for auditory processing on an individual level. SIGNIFICANCE: At the cortical level, early implanted, long-term CI users have good auditory discrimination, leaving variability in implantation outcomes unexplained. This group provides unique insight into the long-term neurophysiological underpinnings of early implantation.
OBJECTIVE: Long-term outcomes of early implanted, young adult cochlear implant (CI) users remain variable. We measured auditory discrimination by means of event-related potentials in this population to examine whether variability at the level of cortical auditory processing helps to explain speech abilities. METHODS: Using an auditory oddball paradigm, the P300 and Mismatch Negativity (MMN) were measured in 8 young adult CI users and 14 normal-hearing peers. We related P300 amplitude and latency to clinical speech perception scores in quiet and to duration of deafness. RESULTS: All individuals showed P300 responses. The MMN response was less robust in both groups. There was no evidence for differences in P300 responses between CI users and controls. P300 amplitude was associated with speech perception scores (r = 0.70, p = .05) and duration of deafness (r = -0.83, p = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Early CI implantation yields good auditory processing outcomes at young adult age and, in contrast to MMN, the P300 provides a robust measure for auditory processing on an individual level. SIGNIFICANCE: At the cortical level, early implanted, long-term CI users have good auditory discrimination, leaving variability in implantation outcomes unexplained. This group provides unique insight into the long-term neurophysiological underpinnings of early implantation.