The effect of cross-over frequency on binaural hearing performance of adults using electric-acoustic stimulation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of varying cross-over frequency (CF) settings for electric-acoustic (EA) stimulation in one ear combined with acoustic (A) hearing in the opposite ear on binaural speech perception, localization and functional performance in real life.

Methods: Performance with three different CF settings set according to audiometric-based criterion were compared, following a four week familiarisation period with each, in ten adult cochlear implant recipients with residual hearing in both ears. On completion of all trials participants selected their preferred CF setting. Results: On average, CF settings did not have a significant effect on performance scores. However, higher ratings on device usage were associated with the preferred CF settings.

Conclusion: Individuals who use EA + A stimulation may benefit from access to different CF settings to achieve maximal device usage.

Keywords:

• Word
• Cochlear Implants
• Hearing Aids
• Electric And Acoustic Stimulation
• Fitting
• Cross-Over Frequency

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the HEARing CRC, established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program. The CRC Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. This project was also supported by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Office of Hearing Services. We are grateful to all the cochlear implant recipients who participated in this study. The authors would also like to thank the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, The Melbourne Cochlear Implant Centre, and The Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

ORCID

Paola V Incerti http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1483-6672

Teresa YC Ching http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1588-5599

Robert Cowan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4841-9623

Additional information

Funding

The HEARing CRC, established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program.