Lee S. Krause

Speech based optimization of cochlear implants

Abstract Objective: This study describes an innovative method to optimize cochlear implant (CI) devices for individual patients using speech stimuli. Design: Baseline performance of clinically created CI settings was evaluated objectively (CNC and BKB-SIN) and subjectively (listening situation questionnaire). Participants underwent the Clarujust optimization procedure during two sessions, each two weeks apart, allowing for acclimatization and experience with each group of programs. Outcome testing was completed on both optimization settings during the two week follow-up session. CNC and BKB-SIN scores were compared within participants across test sessions. Study sample: Twenty adult experienced CI users were reprogrammed using the Clarujust™ fitting procedure. Results: Significant improvements (p < 0.05) on CNC words and BKB-SIN sentences were observed with optimized maps compared to maps programmed using standard methods. Subjective performance also showed increased satisfaction with the optimized maps. The maps for individual users varied significantly and no single fitting applied for all patients. Conclusions: The Clarujust optimization method of programming CIs shows promise to improve patient performance and increase patient satisfaction in a shorter clinical test time.