The Development of Remote Speech Recognition Tests for Adult Cochlear Implant Users: The Effect of Presentation Mode of the Noise and a Reliable Method to Deliver Sound in Home Environments

Abstract

The number of cochlear implant (CI) users is increasing annually, resulting in an increase in the workload of implant centers in ongoing patient management and evaluation. Remote testing of speech recognition could be time-saving for both the implant centers as well as the patient. This study addresses two methodological challenges we encountered in the development of a remote speech recognition tool for adult CI users. First, we examined whether speech recognition in noise performance differed when the steady-state masking noise was presented throughout the test (i.e. continuous) instead of the standard clinical use for evaluation where the masking noise stops after each stimulus (i.e. discontinuous). A direct coupling between the audio port of a tablet computer to the accessory input of the sound processor with a personal audio cable was used. The setup was calibrated to facilitate presentation of stimuli at a predefined sound level. Finally, differences in frequency response between the audio cable and microphones were investigated.

Teleaudiologia: a contribuição do acesso remoto nos casos de implante coclear – uma revisão sistemática

“…Por meio da tecnologia foi possível desenvolver técnicas e configurações que possibilitaram adaptar testes de fala originariamente elaborados para ouvintes e aplicá-los em usuários de IC 13 . É possível realizar as teleconsultas de forma híbrida, por meio de comunicação síncrona, quando profissional e paciente estão conectados em tempo real por meio de equipamentos de áudio e vídeo e assíncrona, com utilização de material previamente gravado 14,15 , possibilitando aos profissionais o atendimento aos pacientes e familiares, enfocando questões sobre o IC e seus componentes, questões envolvendo a família, a escola e as terapias fonoaudiológicas propriamente ditas 1 .…”

Assessment of speech recognition abilities in quiet and in noise: a comparison between self-administered home testing and testing in the clinic for adult cochlear implant users

“…However, the tests were performed with a different type of masking noise. These data were described elsewhere (De Graaff et al 2016). The order of the test sessions was not counterbalanced across the participants, but it did follow a sequence that could easily be implemented in a standard clinical setting.…”

“…A visual cue was provided along with the presentation of the stimulus, in order to alert the participant to the digit-triplets or words. The loudspeaker and the audio cable setups were calibrated to ensure equal presentation levels, regardless of presentation mode (De Graaff et al 2016). Briefly, the accuracy of the internal sound level metre of the CP910 sound processor was determined by comparing the sound pressure levels read out directly from the internal sound level metre to those measured with a Bru€ el and Kjaer Type 2250 sound level metre.…”

“…To overcome the challenges identified in the studies by Goehring et al (2012) and Hughes et al (2012), the use of an audio cable for sound delivery to the CI in speech recognition testing was examined (De Graaff et al 2016). An audio cable was used to create a direct coupling between the sound processor and the audio port of a tablet computer.…”

Testing Speech Perception with Cochlear Implants Through Digital Audio Streaming in a Virtual Sound Booth: A Feasibility Study

“…It is possible that scores obtained with DAS might be better than those obtained in the SB for speech in noise, similar to previous findings with DAI. [10][11][12] The goals of the present study were twofold. First, we sought to compare speech-perception scores obtained in a traditional SB setting for experienced CI listeners to those obtained using DAS.…”