Fixed and adaptive beamforming improves speech perception in noise in cochlear implant recipients equipped with the MED-EL SONNET audio processor

Honeder, Clemens (author), Liepins, Rudolf (author), Arnoldner, Christoph (author), Šinkovec, Hana (author), Kaider, Alexandra (author), Vyskocil, Erich (author), Riss, Dominik (author)

Objective: To determine the impact of the fixed and adaptive beamforming technology of the new MED-EL SONNET cochlear implant audio processor on speech perception in noise. Methods: The study cohort comprises 18 postlingually deafened adult cochlear implant recipients with at least six months of experience. Speech reception thresholds were measured with the Oldenburg Sentence Test in continuous, speech-shaped noise. Target sentences were presented in front of the listener, with noise sources placed at -135° and 135°, respectively. Outcome measures were the differences in speech reception threshold using omnidirectional, fixed and adaptive beamformer microphone settings. Results: The use of directional microphones significantly improved speech reception thresholds: fixed beamformer vs. omnidirectional: 4.3 dB (95%-CI [3.1; 5.5]), p<0.0001; adaptive beamformer vs. omnidirectional: 6.1 dB (95%-CI [4.9; 7.3]), p<0.0001; and adaptive beamformer vs. fixed beamformer: 1.8 dB (95%-CI [0.7; 3.0]), p = 0.001. Conclusion: This study confirms the previously reported improvements in speech perception in noise of the fixed beamformer microphone setting and is the first to report significant improvements in speech perception in noise when applying the adaptive beamformer microphone settings of the SONNET audio processor. Cochlear implant users may be able to benefit from improved hearing performance especially in difficult listening situations.

• Language: English
• Keywords: speech perception, adaptive beamforming technology, fixed beamforming technology, cochlear implant, MED-EL SONNET, cohort study
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2018
• Number of pages: Str. 1-10
• Numbering: Vol. 13, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-153055
• UDC: 616.21
• ISSN on article: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190718
• COBISS.SI-ID: 177626115
• Publication date in RUL: 15.12.2023

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: PloS one
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• COBISS.SI-ID: 2005896