Comparing the Speech Perception of Cochlear Implant Users with Three Different Finnish Speech Intelligibility Tests in Noise

Abstract

Background: A large number of different speech-in-noise (SIN) tests are available for testing cochlear implant (CI) recipients, but few studies have compared the different tests in the same patient population to assess how well their results correlate. Methods: A clinically representative group of 80 CI users conducted the Finnish versions of the matrix sentence test, the simplified matrix sentence test, and the digit triplet test. The results were analyzed for correlations between the different tests and for differences among the participants, including age and device modality. Results: Strong and statistically significant correlations were observed between all of the tests. No floor or ceiling effects were observed with any of the tests when using the adaptive test procedure. Age or the length of device use showed no correlation to SIN perception, but bilateral CI users showed slightly better results in comparison to unilateral or bimodal users. Conclusions: Three SIN tests that differ in length and complexity of the test material provided comparable results in a diverse CI user group.

Hebrew Digits in Noise (DIN) Test in Cochlear Implant Users and Normal Hearing Listeners

“…Marginal to significant associations were found between the Hebrew DIN test and other standard speech perception tests among CI users. This finding is consistent with other studies that have shown correlations between the DIN test and standard speech perception tests using words and sentences [ 13 , 14 ]. The high correlation observed underscores the DIN test’s utility in comprehensively assessing speech perception abilities in CI users.…”

“…The finding that children (both NH and CI users) achieved a higher Hebrew DIN SRTn than adults is supported by previous studies showing that children struggle more than adults in noisy environments and require more favorable SNRs to perform as well as adults [ 19 , 20 ]. Also, the finding that CI users required a higher mean Hebrew DIN SRTn than NH individuals is supported by previous studies [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Nevertheless, in more difficult tests, such as sentences in noise (HeBio), the difference in SRTn between CI adult users and their NH peers was much larger (mean of 13–14 dB as opposed to 3–5 dB in the DIN test).…”

“…The results of the DIN test have been examined in various languages and populations of CI users and were shown to correlate with the outcomes of other speech perceptions in noise tests [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, it is unclear whether the DIN test, primarily designed as a screening tool, can be sensitive enough to distinguish between different age groups and detect the onset of deafness, making it suitable for inclusion in the speech perception battery for follow-up in CI centers.…”

Insertion Results and Hearing Outcomes of a Slim Lateral Wall Electrode

“… 23 Similarly, for a clinically representative group of 80 CI users with their preferred device configuration, corresponding to our “best aided” condition, the mean SRT estimate was −4.2 dB SNR (SD 2.1). 31 This is rather well in line with the current study [mean −3.5 SNR (SD ± 2.3 SNR)], where the average improvement was 4.0 dB, which is a considerable improvement in performance and within the range of our clinical objective.…”

Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Finnish Patients with Autosomal Recessive and Dominant Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Due to Pathogenic TMC1 Variants

“…The older, early implanted CI users also reached good speech perception. The average SRT for a bilateral CI user with the FMST was −5.4 dB SNR in a large, unselected group of Finnish CI users [ 24 ]. Two of the early implanted individuals in the present study reached an even better SRT, and another individual had a SRT of −3.4 dB, which can still be considered an adequate CI rehabilitation result.…”