Reception of Environmental Sounds Through Cochlear Implants

Abstract

Temporal-envelope cues appear to play a large role in the identification of environmental sounds through cochlear implants. The finer distinctions made by the HP group compared with the LP group may be related to a better ability both to resolve temporal differences and to use gross spectral cues. These findings are qualitatively consistent with patterns of confusions observed in the reception of speech segments through cochlear implants.

Environmental sound perception of cochlear implant users

“…Similar to Reed and Delhorne (2005) this study also found no correlation between speech perception scores and scores on ESTs. Also error pattern analyses in both studies showed the importance of temporal characteristics in the identification of environmental sounds for CI users.…”

“…Despite the use of different speech and EST materials (differences in the actual sound categories and the number of stimuli in each of the categories), and the inclusion of participants with different types of CI, it is worthwhile comparing the findings from the experienced CI group in this study to those from the study by Reed and Delhorne (2005). Similar to Reed and Delhorne (2005) this study also found no correlation between speech perception scores and scores on ESTs.…”

“…Several other studies have included closed-set tests of environmental sound perception in their test battery (Proops et al, 1999;Reed & Delhorne, 2005;Tye-Murray, Tyler, Woodworth, & Gantz, 1992;Tyler & Lowder, 1992). Reed & Delhorne (2005) measured the closed-set environmental sound perception performance of 11 postlingually deafened adult CI patients.…”

“…Reed & Delhorne (2005) measured the closed-set environmental sound perception performance of 11 postlingually deafened adult CI patients. The test they designed used environmental sounds excerpts classified into four groups -General Home, Kitchen, Office, and Outside.…”

“…Secondly, existing environmental sound perception studies have involved either subjective responses via surveys (Tyler & Kelsay, 1990;Zhao, Stephens, Sim, & Meredith, 1997) or environmental sounds tests involving experienced CI users (Reed & Delhorne, 2005;Tyler & Lowder, 1992). There has been no attempt to compare the performance of CI users with that of other populations, in particular normal hearing listeners.…”