Evaluation of a wireless audio streaming accessory to improve mobile telephone performance of cochlear implant users

Abstract

The results of this study indicate that use of a wireless HAT improves word recognition over the mobile telephone in quiet and in noise relative to performance in the acoustic mobile telephone condition for a group of adult cochlear implant recipients.

Development of a home‐based auditory training to improve speech recognition on the telephone for patients with cochlear implants: A randomised trial

“…Besides auditory training, a great variety of interventions and devices has been described to aid patients with CIs in speech recognition via the telephone, including assistance technology as well as changes in electric stimulation and signal processing . However, evidence exists that auditory training is necessary to take advantage of additional cues provided by additional technology or advanced stimulation and processing strategies .…”

“…A great variety of interventions and devices have been described to aid patients with CIs in speech recognition on the telephone. Assistance technology aims to reduce noise and transmission loss from the telephone to a cochlear implant and may add visual information to the audio signal . Changes in electric stimulation are meant to improve telephone performance by creation of a telephone‐specific map and changes in signal processing include the fine structure in addition to the envelope of the auditory signal or extend the bandwidth of the telephone signal …”

Influence of Telecommunication Modality, Internet Transmission Quality, and Accessories on Speech Perception in Cochlear Implant Users

“…New technologies such as wireless audio streaming [35] may further improve listening experience and performance. New generations of Bluetooth technology with low battery consumption and direct connection to the implant might replace any assisting telephone accessory in the future while preserving voice quality.…”

Upgrade to Nucleus® 6 in Previous Generation Cochlear™ Sound Processor Recipients

“…It is slimmer, lighter, and smaller than previous generations, and offers more program options, data logging, and advanced sound processing on a digital signal processor chip that provides the platform for an array of new technologies. The N6 processor combines multiple signal processing algorithms through SmartSound iQ technology and is also capable of streaming wirelessly to assistive listening devices, contributing to increased performance in the presence of background noise (Wolfe et al, 2016;Duke et al, 2016). The SmartSound iQ sound management algorithms are discussed below and include SCAN, Signal-to-Noise Ratio-Based Noise Reduction (SNR-NR), and Wind Noise Reduction (WNR); three new algorithms designed specifically to improve hearing in a variety of difficult environments.…”