Activating a Noise-Gating Algorithm and Personalizing Electrode Threshold Levels Improve Recognition of Soft Speech for Adults With CIs.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized within-subject comparative study evaluating four processor configurations
PubMed 33577215 · doi:10.1097/AUD.0000000000001003
What was done
Twenty postlingually deafened adult cochlear implant users (aged 25–77 years) using Advanced Bionics Naida CI Q90 speech processors were evaluated across four programming conditions combining noise-gating (NG) algorithm settings (on vs. off) and electrode threshold levels (T-levels: manufacturer default 10% of M-level vs. personalized based on "very quiet" ratings). Participants completed phoneme detection testing (/m/, /u/, /a/, /i/, /s/, and /ʃ/), monosyllabic word and sentence recognition in quiet at 45 and 60 dB SPL, and sentence recognition in noise (45 dB SPL speech at +10 dB SNR).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or exact p-values. It reports that both activating noise-gating and personalizing T-levels independently yielded significant improvements in speech sound detection and soft speech recognition (monosyllables, sentences in quiet, and sentences in noise at 45 dB SPL), with comparable individual effects. Combining noise-gating activation with personalized T-levels produced the lowest detection thresholds and highest speech recognition performance. Neither intervention affected speech recognition at standard conversational levels (60 dB SPL).
Why it matters
Combining noise-gating algorithms with personalized electrode threshold levels can improve cochlear implant users' recognition of soft and whispered speech without degrading normal conversational speech perception.
Limits
The abstract reports no numerical data, variance, or test statistics. The study has a small sample size (n = 20), is restricted to a single device manufacturer and model, and evaluates acute laboratory performance without real-world home trials or varied noise environments.
Cited by
- supports Normal conversational speech occurs at approximately 60 decibels sound pressure level.