Application of Signals with Rippled Spectra as a Training Approach for Speech Intelligibility Improvements in Cochlear Implant Users.

In cochlear implant (CI) users, the discrimination of sound signals with rippled spectra correlates with speech discrimination. We suggest that rippled-spectrum signals could be a basis for training CI users to improve speech intelligibility. Fifteen CI users participated in the study. Ten of them used the software for training (the experimental group), and five did not (the control group). Software based on the phase reversal discrimination of rippled spectra was used. The experimental group was also tested for speech discrimination using phonetic material based on polysyllabic balanced speech material. An improvement in the discrimination of the rippled spectrum was observed in all CI users from the experimental group. There was no significant improvement in the control group. The result of the speech discrimination test showed that the percentage of recognized words increased after training in nine out of ten CI users. For five CI users who participated in the training program, the data on word recognition were also obtained earlier (at least eight months before training). The increase in the percentage of recognized words was greater after training compared to the period before training. The results allow the suggestion that sound signals with rippled spectra could be used not only for testing rehabilitation results after CI but also for training CI users to discriminate sounds with complex spectra.

Evaluation of new technology for intraoperative evoked compound action potential threshold measurements.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether new technology for intraoperative evoked compound action potential (ECAP) threshold measurements-the CR120 Intraoperative Remote Assistant device-is comparable to the existing Custom Sound(®) clinical system, as well as assess test-retest accuracy of the systems. DESIGN: Within subject, repeated measures comparative design. STUDY SAMPLE: ECAP data were collected from 81 pediatric subjects (41 females and 40 males). RESULTS: The average ECAP threshold measurement time for the Custom Sound system was 6.2 minutes (SD = 1.0) versus 4.8 minutes (SD = 0.7) for the CR120 device. ECAP thresholds measured with Custom Sound and the CR120 device had an average Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient for all electrodes (N = 1724) of 0.92, p < 0.01; an average mean absolute difference of 6 CLs (SD = 6); and a 95% confidence interval of - 1 to 1 CLs. The test-retest results for Custom Sound and the CR120 device are also included. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in the measurement time for ECAP thresholds was noted with the CR120 device. Furthermore, ECAP thresholds measured with the CR120 device are equivalent to Custom Sound within a clinically acceptable range.