Prospective Multicentric Follow-up Study of Cochlear Implantation in Adults With Single-Sided Deafness: Tinnitus and Audiological Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the audiological and tinnitus outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) and tinnitus. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentered prospective, non-randomized intervention study. SETTING: Six French CI centers. PATIENTS: Twenty-six patients with SSD and incapacitating tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI] >58) underwent cochlear implantation. INTERVENTIONS: First, CIs delivered only masking white noise stimulation for 1 month and then standard CI stimulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Before and after CI surgery, patients completed the THI, Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ), Subjective Tinnitus Severity Scale (STSS), and two visual analogue scales quantifying tinnitus loudness and annoyance. Speech perception in spatialized noise was tested at 13 months. RESULTS: The first month of white noise stimulation triggered a significant improvement in THI scores (72 ±â€Š9 to 55 ±â€Š20, p < 0.05). No change was observed for the other measures. After 1 year of standard CI stimulation, 23 patients (92%) reported a significant improvement in tinnitus. This improvement started 1 to 2 months after CI and exceeded 40% improvement for 14 patients (54%). Average speech-in-noise perception after 1 year significantly improved for the 23 patients who completed these measures. CONCLUSIONS: CI is efficacious to reduce the handicap of patient with SSD and incapacitating tinnitus, leading to a decrease in reported tinnitus and partial restoration of binaural hearing abilities.

The Oticon Medical Neuro Zti cochlear implant and the Neuro 2 sound processor: multicentric evaluation of outcomes in adults and children.

Objective: This study evaluated the outcomes of the Oticon Medical Neuro Zti cochlear implant and the Neuro 2 sound processor.Design: Neuro One users were upgraded to Neuro 2. Monosyllabic word identification was evaluated in adults with Neuro One after ≥5 months, with Neuro 2 at upgrade, and with Neuro 2 after 3 months. Self-reported listening ability, satisfaction, and usability were measured in adults and children.Study sample: Participants were 44 adults and 26 children.Results: Speech identification scores in quiet and noise were 58% and 45% with Neuro One and 67% and 55% with Neuro 2 after 3 months, respectively. Hearing impairment duration and number of active electrodes significantly predicted speech identification in noise with Neuro 2. Significantly higher questionnaire ratings were obtained for Neuro 2 than Neuro One regarding listening ability in complex listening situations, comfort and music, as well as nine aspects of satisfaction and usability.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the clinical superiority of the Neuro 2 sound processor over Neuro One in terms of speech identification in quiet and in noise and reported patient benefit and satisfaction. Given the study design, sources of improvement may include factors unrelated to the sound processor itself.

The Voice Track multiband single-channel modified Wiener-filter noise reduction system for cochlear implants: patients' outcomes and subjective appraisal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential improvements of speech perception and sound quality provided by a multiband single channel noise-reduction algorithm based on the modified Wiener-filter adapted to cochlear implant sound processing. DESIGN: This study was a longitudinal trial with a repeated-measures design. Outcome measures were performed on the first day when the noise reduction feature was provided and after a one month habituation period. Objective measures included pure-tone thresholds and vocal audiometry assessments. Speech perception was measured in quiet and in the presence of two types of noise: a stationary speech shaped noise and a two-talker cocktail noise. Subjective sound quality was assessed using a ten item questionnaire. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen post-lingual deaf adults, experienced users of a cochlear implant system, took part in this study. RESULTS: The noise-reduction algorithm provided a benefit for the perception of speech presented in a stationary speech shaped noise and an overall improvement in subjective sound quality ratings. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that a single channel noise reduction system based on a modified Wiener-filter approach can improve speech in noise perception performance and subjective sound quality in cochlear implant patients.

Clinical evaluation of the xDP output compression strategy for cochlear implants.

Technological advances in the domain of digital signal processing adapted to cochlear implants (CI) are partially responsible for the ever-improving outcomes observed with this neural prosthesis. The goal of the present study was to evaluate audiometric outcomes with a new signal processing strategy implemented in Oticon Medical-Neurelec cochlear implant systems, the xDP strategy. The core of this approach is a preset-based back-end output compression system, modulating a multi-channel transfer function depending on the intensity and information content of input sounds. Twenty adult CI patients, matched for age and CI experience, were included in this study. Pure-tone thresholds and vocal audiometry scores were measured with their former signal processing strategy and with xDP. Speech perception was assessed using dissyllabic words presented in quiet, at different intensity levels: 40, 55, 70, and 85 dB SPL, and in a cocktail party noise at a signal-to-noise ratio of +10 dB. Results with the xDP strategy showed, as awaited, no major modification of pure-tone thresholds. A global increase of speech perception scores was observed after a 1-month habituation period, with significant improvements for speech perception in quiet for moderate (55 dB SPL), loud speech sounds (85 dB SPL), and speech-in-noise comprehension. Subjective signal quality assessment showed a preference for Crystalis(xDP) over the former strategy. These results allow the quantification of improvements provided by the xDP signal processing strategy.

One-Year Follow Up of Auditory Performance in Post-Lingually Deafened Adults Implanted with the Neurelec Digisonic(®) SP/Saphyr(®) Neo Cochlear Implant System.

This study aimed to quantify outcomes in a group of patients who were implanted with an Oticon Medical Neurelec (Vallauris, France) cochlear implant system, the Digisonic(®) SP/Saphyr(®) Neo. Ten participants took part in this preliminary study. Their speech perception capacities were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12-months after cochlear implant activation and compared to pre-implantation scores and to scores observed with former versions of the sound processor. Compared to former versions of the sound processor, patients using the Saphyr(®) Neo processor obtained better speech perception scores for sentences in silence at each tests session (3 months: 79%, 6 months: 82% and 12 months: 94%) compared to Digisonic(®) users (respectively: 58%, 69% and 75%) and Convex sound processor users (resp. 39%, 59% and 51%). These observations confirm that the technological improvements made in the Saphyr(®) Neo sound processor coupled with the Digisonic(®) implant, provided quantifiable benefits in speech perception in Quiet compared to former versions of the processor Convex and Digisonic(®) SP.

Effects and consequences of Digisonic SP cochlear implant on radiotherapy planning.

The aim of this study was to assess dose attenuation by a Digisonic SP cochlear implant (CI) and evaluate its impact on treatment planning. The Digisonic CI was irradiated with 6 MV photons. Overall dose attenuation was assessed with MOSFET dosimeters and Gafchromic films. In addition, we evaluated the attenuation of separate CI components. Dose attenuation was also calculated using different radiation treatment planning systems (TPS) softwares and dose calculation algorithms. The CI was placed on a head phantom. Single-beam and multiple-beam plans were evaluated for dose attenuation using two radiation techniques (Conformal and Stereotactic radiotherapy) and four different algorithms (Clarkson, Point Kernel-Superposition, Ray Tracing and Monte Carlo). MOSFET and Gafchromics film showed maximal 6-7.5% radiation dose attenuation, at the center of the CI. Computerized TPS-based dose attenuation by the implant was 4-8.1%, using a single ipsilateral field. No clinically meaningful dose attenuation was found in multiple field plans owing to the contribution of various beam paths with only a couple going through the implant using either conventional conformal or stereotactic treatment plans. Dose attenuation induced by a Digisonic SP CI is about 6%, for single 6 MV photon field. This dose reduction is unlikely to be clinically significant, as single-field radiotherapy plans to this anatomic region are uncommon.