https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1727-5647
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Abstract
Purpose: The study’s objectives were to (1) evaluate benefit from a novel bimodal fitting formula (Adaptive Phonak Digital Bimodal Fitting Formula [APDB]), and (2) compare outcomes with APDB and a traditional fitting formula (NAL-NL2).
Methods: This prospective study evaluated outcomes in ten adults with unilateral Advanced Bionics (AB) cochlear implants (CI). Participants were tested bimodally with NAL-NL2 and APDB programed on Naída Link UP HAs. Measures of speech perception, sound quality, and preference were obtained with two bimodal configurations (CI + HANAL-NL2 and CI + HAAPDB). Participants used the CI + HAAPDB configuration for an acclimation period, after which measures were repeated.
Results: Significant bimodal benefit was measured from both HA fitting formulae for speech perception in noise compared to the CI-only condition. Improved individual outcomes with the APDB were observed, but group differences were not statistically significant. Participants reported subjective benefit from APDB on blind comparisons of preference and sound quality.
Conclusions: Significant benefit was found with both bimodal conditions compared to the CI-only condition; however, bimodal speech perception results were not significantly different. Users reported benefit from the APDB formula over NAL-NL2 formula. Due to individual improved speech perception and overall subjective preference for APDB, clinicians should consider APDB with AB CI recipients.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Patti Martin and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for supporting this work. Portions of this article were presented as a poster at the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Conference, July 26-29, 2017, San Francisco, CA, and at the American Academy of Audiology Conference April 18-21, 2018, Nashville, TN.
Disclaimer statements
Contributors None.
Funding This work was supported by Advanced Bionics, LLC. S. A. is an employee of Advanced Bionics, LLC.
Conflicts of interest None.
Ethics approval None.
Notes on contributors
Sarah E. Warren, AuD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and affiliated with Arkansas Children's Hospital Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. She is director of the Cochlear Implant Research Lab at University of Memphis and Coordinator of the Cochlear Implant Clinic at Memphis Speech and Hearing Center. Her research areas include adult and pediatric cochlear implant outcomes and access to care.
M. Noelle Dunbar, AuD, is a former Assistant Professor of Audiology in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include pediatric cochlear implantation and amplification.
Cassandra Bosworth, AuD, is an Assistant Professor of Audiology in the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery department at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Her research areas include management of children with hearing loss and teletherapy for adult cochlear implant recipients.
Smita Agrawal, PhD, is a principal research scientist at Advanced Bionics, LLC. In addition to developing and evaluating strategies and technology for improving electrical hearing and programming of cochlear implants, her work at AB has included evaluating opportunities for improving bimodal hearing. Her current area of work focuses on collaborative research with external partners.