Optimising the effect of noise reduction algorithm ClearVoice in cochlear implant users by increasing the maximum comfort levels.

<italic>Objective</italic>: ClearVoice is a single-microphone noise reduction algorithm in Advanced Bionics cochlear implant(CI) systems with the aim to improve performance in background noise. The present study investigated a hypothesised increased effect of ClearVoice if combined with a structural...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:International Journal of Audiology Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 230 - 236
Autores principales: Dingemanse, J. Gertjan, Goedegebure, André
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2018
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:<italic>Objective</italic>: ClearVoice is a single-microphone noise reduction algorithm in Advanced Bionics cochlear implant(CI) systems with the aim to improve performance in background noise. The present study investigated a hypothesised increased effect of ClearVoice if combined with a structural increase of maximum comfort stimulation levels (M-levels) in the CI fitting. <italic>Design</italic>: We tested performance with ClearVoice (Medium) in four conditions, defined by combined settings of ClearVoice off/on and with/without 5% increase of M-levels. The main outcome measures were the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) and the speech reception threshold in continuous background noise (SRTn). <italic>Study sample</italic>: Participants were 16 experienced cochlear implant recipients with Advanced Bionics implants and a Naida Q70 processor. <italic>Results</italic>: The ANL significantly improved by using either ClearVoice or an increase of M-levels. Combining both settings gave the largest improvement in ANL. For the SRTn, we found a small, but significant interaction between ClearVoice and an increase of M-levels, implying that ClearVoice improved speech understanding slightly, but only if combined with a 5% increase of M-levels. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Optimal profit from ClearVoice is obtained if combined with a structural 5% increase of M-levels.