Outcomes of Treatment of Partial Deafness With Cochlear Implantation: A DUET Study

Abstract

The shallow electrode array insertion with preserved low-frequency hearing is a highly effective method for the treatment of partial deafness. The combination of HA and CI processor, i.e., the DUET, is beneficial in noise and in quiet.

Electric-Acoustic Stimulation of the Auditory System: A Review of the First Decade

“…In these cases, the DUET processor increased the acceptance of the EAS protocol from 33 to 100%. Both Helbig et al [2008] and Lorens et al [2008] showed the superiority of EAS using the DUET processor over the usage of CI alone. The authors further developed fitting parameters optimal for EAS and found good agreement with the parameters implemented in the DUET processor.…”

“…Lorens et al [2008] included subjects with monosyllable scores of less than 75% in the best-aided condition measured by the Polish Pruszewicz monosyllable test in quiet at 60 dB SPL. Pure tone audiometry scores for both ears had to be better than 60 dB HL at 500 Hz, and below 70 dB at 1500 Hz.…”

The effects of spectral smearing and elevated thresholds on speech-in-noise recognition in simulated electric-acoustic hearing

“…Since then, clinical results from a large number of studies have indicated improved speech recognition for individuals receiving both electric and acoustic stimulation compared to either electric or acoustic stimulation alone (Gantz et al, 2005;Gantz et al, 2006;Gstoettner et al, 2009;Kiefer et al, 2005;Lorens et al, 2008;Turner et al, 2004;Turner et al, 2008). Although evident for speech in quiet, this benefit provided by EAS is most pronounced for speech in noise.…”

“…However, details regarding the use of this amplification such as how many participants received amplification, what hearing loss was considered appropriate for additional amplification, whether it was provided through a separate hearing aid device or through a hybrid cochlear implant device, and what fitting procedures were used, was usually not clearly specified. In a number of studies involving actual EAS users it was unclear or unspecified whether additional amplification was provided for the low frequency region (Dorman et al, 2008;Lorens et al, 2008;Turner et al, 2008;Turner et al, 2010). One of the studies reviewed explicitly said that no additional amplification was provided in the low frequency region due to the participant having near normal low frequency hearing thresholds (20 -25 dB HL at 500 Hz and below) (Turner et al, 2004).…”

“…This has recently been considered an option for those individuals who are unable to achieve satisfactory speech recognition with traditional amplification despite residual hearing in the low frequencies. There has been evidence to suggest that for these individuals, combined EAS provides significant benefit for speech in noise recognition compared to electric only or acoustic only stimulation (Gantz, Turner, Gfeller, & Lowder, 2005;Gantz, Turner, & Gfeller, 2006;Kiefer et al, 2005;Lorens, Polak, Piotrowska, & Skarzynski, 2008;Turner, Gantz, Vidal, Behrens, & Henry, 2004;Turner, Gantz, & Reiss, 2008).…”