Listening effort in CI users with electric-acoustic stimulation

Introduction Speech perception in noise is often much more difficult for cochlear implant (CI) users than for normal hearing (NH) users. Use of a CI with residual hearing preservation which enables for the benefit of electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) has been reported to improve speech perception in noise compared to conventional CI. However, there has been little research on listening effort. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the listening effort of EAS users in noise.

Methods Combined with the assessment of the OLSA SRT in noise, the subjective listening effort was recorded in parallel with a category scaling method (ACALES). Listening effort was measured in a noise situation with spatial separation of speech and noise and in a diffuse sound field. The results of EAS users were compared with a normal hearing control group.

Results Average listening effort of the EAS group with deactivated CI at the signal-to-noise ratio of the speech reception threshold was worse than that of the NH group (2-3 category units, e.g. moderate vs. very strenuous). Using the EAS system reduced the listening effort by about one category unit. For positive signal-to-noise ratios (which are more common in everyday life) the listening effort with EAS was only a few category units worse than in the NH group.

Conclusion In the present study, EAS users showed an increased listening effort compared to the NH group. Listening effort in EAS users was reduced in all noise conditions.

Poster-PDF A-1702.pdf

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021