Characteristics and international comparability of the Finnish matrix sentence test in cochlear implant recipients

Abstract

Objectives: The first Finnish sentence-based speech test in noise—the Finnish matrix sentence test—was recently developed. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the new test with respect to test-retest reliability, speech recognition curve, and international comparability in Finnish cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Design: The speech reception thresholds (SRT) were measured by means of an adaptive test procedure and compared with the results of the traditional Finnish word test. Additional measurements for concurrent slope and SRT estimation were conducted to determine the speech recognition curve and to check the test-retest reliability. Study sample: The measurements were performed on 78 Finnish CI recipients. In a subset of 25 patients, additional measurements for test-retest reliability and slope determination were performed. Results: The mean SRT was − 3.5 ± 1.7 dB SNR, with only a weak correlation with the Finnish word test. Test-retest reliability was within ± 1 dB and the mean slope of the speech recognition curve was 14.6 ± 3.6 %/dB. The rehabilitation results were similar to the results published for the German matrix test. Conclusions: The Finnish matrix test was found to be suitable and efficient in CI recipients with similar characteristics as the German matrix test.

Key Words::

• Cochlear implant
• speech perception
• noise
• psychoacoustics/hearing science

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Korvatautien tutkimussäätiö for funding this validation study. We would also like to thank all the team members from the clinics involved in this study and all participating subjects for their cooperation.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.