Scientific article
English

In-the-canal versus behind-the-ear microphones improve spatial discrimination on the side of the head in bilateral cochlear implant users

Published inOtology & Neurotology, vol. 32, no. 1, p. 1-6
Publication date2011
Abstract

Objective: To test whether in-the-canal (ITC) microphones have an impact on spatial discrimination and speech perception by taking advantage of auricular cues. Study Design: Experimental clinical study. Setting: Audiologic laboratory in a tertiary referral center. Patients: Seven bilateral adult cochlear implant (CI) users were selected from the institution's database. Intervention: The adaptive German Oldenburg sentence test and minimum audible angle measurements were performed binaurally with experimental ITC and behind-the-ear (BTE) microphones. Main Outcome Measures: Spatial discrimination and speech perception scores assessed for each microphone position. Results: Spatial discrimination on the side of the head was superior using ITC compared with BTE microphone positions; the differences on the side of the first CI were statistically significant (mean minimum audible angle ± standard deviation, 28.4 ± 7.61 degrees versus 34.1 ± 14.4 degrees; p = 0.031). Speech perception scores with ITC versus BTE microphone positions also were improved, although the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: ITC microphones could help to improve CI performance in the future.

Keywords
  • Bilateral
  • Cochlear implant
  • In-the-canal microphone
  • Spatial discrimination
  • Speech intelligibility
Affiliation entities Not a UNIGE publication
Funding
  • Swiss National Science Foundation - 3238-056325/2
Citation (ISO format)
MANTOKOUDIS, Georgios et al. In-the-canal versus behind-the-ear microphones improve spatial discrimination on the side of the head in bilateral cochlear implant users. In: Otology & Neurotology, 2011, vol. 32, n° 1, p. 1–6. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182001cac
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Article (Published version)
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal1531-7129
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