Abstract
The importance of binaural cues in auditory stream formation and sound source segregation is widely accepted. When treating one ear with a cochlear implant (CI) the peripheral auditory system gets partially replaced and processing delays get added potentially, thus important interaural time differences get altered. However, these effects are not fully understood, leaving a lack of systematic binaural fitting strategies with respect to an optimal binaural fusion. To get new insights into such alterations, we suggest a novel method of free-field auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) analysis in CI users. This method does not bypass the technically induced intrinsic delays of the sound processor while leaving the whole electrode array active, thus the most natural way of stimulation is provided. We compared the ABRs collected of 12 CI users and 12 normal hearing listeners using two different stimuli (chirp, click) at four different intensities each. We analyzed the ABRs using the average of 2000 trials as well as a single trial analysis and found consistent results in the ABRs’ amplitudes and latencies, as well as in single trial relationships between both groups. This method provides a new perspective into the natural CI users’ ABRs and can be useful in future research regarding binaural interaction and fusion.
Highlights
The cochlear implant (CI) is the only device that can restore partial hearing to a totally deafened person via electric stimulation of the residual auditory nerve.[1]
To get new insights into such alterations, we suggest a novel method of free-field auditory brainstem evoked e responses (ABRs) analysis in CI users
We found r consistent differences in the ABRs’ amplitudes and latencies, as e well as in single trial relationships between normal hearing listeners (NH) and CI users. mm Materials and Methods co Participants - The study was performed in accordance with the declaration of Non Helsinki and was approved as a scientific study by the local ethics off and an omnidirectional microphone characteristic was used
Summary
Another problem that arises when investigating auditory room using an audiometric free-field configuration. All intrinsic delays and implant electrodes are ia included, thereby offering insights into the true-to-life temporal c appearance of the CI users’ responses. With this method, we found r consistent differences in the ABRs’ amplitudes and latencies, as e well as in single trial relationships between NHs and CI users.
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