Fine structure processing improves telephone speech perception in cochlear implant users.

The objective of this study was to compare telephone speech perception and subjective preferences in cochlear implant users with two different speech-processing strategies: high-definition continuous interleaved sampling (HDCIS) and fine structure processing (FSP). A randomized double-blind study was designed for intra-individual comparison of HDCIS and FSP. Twenty-five post-lingually deafened patients with either the PulsarCI(100) or SonataTI(100) and Opus2 acoustic processor were tested consecutively with both coding strategies, assigned in a random order. Disyllabic word speech perception was tested 6 weeks after each fitting under the following conditions: landline use with (LWN) and without (LWoN) background noise, mobile use with (MWN), and without (MWoN) background noise and mobile use with a Bluetooth magnetic field transmitter necklace (MB). Changes in health-related quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Faber's questionnaire. Personal preferences between strategies were surveyed upon completion of the study. All subjects included in this study performed better with FSP in the landline tests. There was an improvement of 11.5 % in LWN use (p = 0.014; CI 95 % = 3-20 %) and 10 % in LWoN use (p = 0.001; CI 95 % = 5-15 %). MWoN showed an improvement of 6.3 % with FSP (p = 0.03; CI 95 % = 0-13 %). MB tests showed an improvement of 11 % with FSP (p < 0.05; CI 95 % = 1.5-22 %). Quality of life was significantly better using FSP. Eighty-four percent of participants preferred FSP. The FSP speech coding strategy improved the speech recognition of cochlear implant users when using the telephone compared to HDCIS. Cochlear implantation with FSP coding improved QoL.

[Results of middle-ear implants]. / Resultados de los implantes de oído medio.

The results of the various currently-available active middleear implants are discussed. These systems produce high satisfaction (above 85%) in patients with neurosensorial hearing loss. Round window stimulation systems provide excellent results in mixed and conductive hearing loss. Implant removal is required in less than 10% of patients.

Resultados de los implantes de oído medio / Results of middle-ear implants

Se presentan los resultados de los diversos sistemas actualmente comercializados de implantes activos de oído medio (IOM). Los sistemas presentan unos índices de satisfacción por encima del 85% en los pacientes con hipoacusias neurosensoriales. Los sistemas de estimulación de ventana redonda arrojan unos resultados excelentes en hupoacusias mixtas y conductivas. El índice de explantaciones se sitúa por debajo del 10% (AU)

The results of the various currently-available active middleear implants are discussed. These systems produce high satisfaction (above 85%) in patients with neurosensorial hearing loss. Round window stimulation systems provide excellent results in mixed and conductive hearing loss. Implant removal is required in less than 10% of patients (AU)

Benefits from a mobile telephone adapter in Combi40+ cochlear implant users.

CONCLUSIONS: Telephone adapters can help cochlear implanted patients to enhance their telephonic conversations. However, these devices should be further developed to be useful for daily life. OBJECTIVES: To test a mobile telephone adapter to improve speech discrimination by mobile telephone in Combi40+ users. To evaluate the influence of the mobile telephone in communication. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventeen Combi40+ implantees were tested with bisyllabic words presented through mobile telephones with and without a telephone adapter in quiet and noisy environments. Speech audiometries in open field were obtained for every patient. RESULTS: Mean speech discrimination without the adapter in a quiet environment was 51.2%. In a noisy environment, mean discrimination increased significantly with the adapter from 30.3% to 42.9%. No statistically significant difference was found between speech discrimination in the quiet environment without the adapter and speech discrimination in the noisy environment with the adapter. When comparing speech discrimination in open field without lip-reading with equivalent telephonic conditions a statistically significant difference was found in favour of the open field.

[Musical perception and enjoyment in post-lingual patients with cochlear implants]. / Percepción y disfrute de la música en pacientes poslocutivos con implante coclear.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate music perception and enjoyment following cochlear implantation and its impact on quality of life (QOL). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighty-eight adult post-lingually deaf cochlear implant users entered the study. The music questionnaire analyzed musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through the cochlear implant. Music perception was evaluated with the Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA). The Glasgow Benefit Inventory evaluated the quality of life (QOL). The music questionnaires, the PMMA and the GBI were completed by 84 %, 74 %, and 82 % of patients, respectively. RESULTS: Subjective enjoyment of music and listening habits decreased post-implantation when compared with prior to deafness. Mean scores for music perception were: tone 71 %, rhythm 78 %, timbre 61 %, songs 59 %, and melodies 23 %. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant was associated with music enjoyment and with QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Music enjoyment and perception are possible with a cochlear implant. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant influences post-operative QOL.

Percepción y disfrute de la música en pacientes poslocutivos con implante coclear / Musical perception and enjoyment in post-lingual patients with cochlear implants

Objetivos: Evaluar la percepción y el disfrute de la música tras la implantación coclear y su impacto en la calidad de vida. Material y método: Participaron en el estudio 88 adultos con sordera poslocutiva y portadores de un implante coclear. El cuestionario de la música analizó la experiencia musical, los hábitos musicales y la calidad del sonido musical a través del implante coclear. Para estudiar la percepción de la música se empleó el PMMA (Primary Measures of Music Audiation). La calidad de vida fue evaluada mediante el GBI (Glasgow Benefit Inventory). El cuestionario de la música, el PMMA y el GBI fueron contestados por el 84, el 74, y el 82 % de los pacientes, respectivamente. Resultados: El disfrute de la música y los hábitos musicales disminuyeron tras el implante coclear cuando se compararon con la situación previa a la sordera. Los valores medios de percepción de la música fueron: tono, el 71 %; ritmo, el 78 %; timbre, el 61 %; canciones, el 59 %, y melodías, el 23 %. La calidad del sonido de la música a través del implante coclear se relacionó con el disfrute de la música y con la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Es posible disfrutar y percibir la música con un implante coclear. La calidad del sonido de la música a través del implante influye en la calidad de vida

Objectives: To evaluate music perception and enjoyment following cochlear implantation and its impact on quality of life (QOL). Material and method: Eighty-eight adult post-lingually deaf cochlear implant users entered the study. The music questionnaire analyzed musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through the cochlear implant. Music perception was evaluated with the Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA). The Glasgow Benefit Inventory evaluated the quality of life (QOL). The music questionnaires, the PMMA and the GBI were completed by 84 %, 74 %, and 82 % of patients, respectively. Results: Subjective enjoyment of music and listening habits decreased post-implantation when compared with prior to deafness. Mean scores for music perception were: tone 71 %, rhythm 78 %, timbre 61 %, songs 59 %, and melodies 23 %. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant was associated with music enjoyment and with QOL. Conclusions: Music enjoyment and perception are possible with a cochlear implant. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant influences post-operative QOL

Changes in listening habits and quality of musical sound after cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate listening habits and quality of musical sound after cochlear implantation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 89 consecutive, adult, postlingually deafened, cochlear implant recipients entered the study. Music questionnaire included questions about musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through cochlear implants. Music perception was evaluated with the Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA). The questionnaire and the PMMA were administered to 67 and 65 patients, respectively. RESULTS: Listening habits significantly decreased postimplantation. The mean score (0-100) for the adjective pairs "like-dislike," "sounds like music-doesn't sound like music," "natural-mechanical," and "easy to follow-difficult to follow" was 60, 59, 50, and 40, respectively. The adjective pairs were associated with music enjoyment. Mean PMMA scores were 71 and 78 percent for tone and rhythm, respectively, with no association with music enjoyment. CONCLUSION: Music perception through a cochlear implant is a complex phenomenon that depends on audiological and non-audiological factors.

Does music perception have an impact on quality of life following cochlear implantation?

CONCLUSION: Despite the decrease in listening habits, about half of the patients still enjoy music post implantation. Better quality of sound through the implant improves music enjoyment and contributes to achievement of better postoperative quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate music perception and enjoyment in cochlear implant (CI) users, and to assess their influence on QOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five post-lingually deaf CI recipients were enrolled in this study. A musical questionnaire evaluated musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through the CI. The validated Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) was used to quantify changes in QOL. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients answered the questionnaires. Listening habits (music enjoyment and hours spent listening to music per week) significantly decreased following implantation when compared with the same parameters before deafness. Nevertheless, 52% of the patients enjoyed music post implantation. The quality of musical sound was rated >50 (0-100 scale) for the adjective pairs 'like-dislike', 'sounds like music-doesn't sound like music' and 'natural-mechanical' by most users. Med-el device users obtained better scores in the adjective pair 'sounds like music-doesn't sound like music' than Cochlear device users. Recipients rating higher scores for quality of sound enjoyed music post implantation and had higher total GBI scores than those rating lower scores.

Quality of life in postlingually deaf patients following cochlear implantation.

Most cochlear implant studies are focused on improvement of speech perception associated with implantation. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life changes in Spanish users. Thirty postlingually deaf patients fitted with a cochlear implant completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory, a questionnaire dealing with communication abilities, and an open-ended questionnaire. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory revealed a positive effect in 93% of patients. The use of a cochlear implant significantly enhanced discrimination ability, telephone use and self-confidence. A high degree of satisfaction was achieved in all situations except with background noise. Ninety-six percent of patients would recommend the operation to a friend. A dramatic improvement in quality of life following cochlear implantation is revealed by a great majority of patients. The results cannot only be explained by enhancements to auditory perception.