Abstract
PurposeIn unilateral cochlear implant (CI) recipients, a contralateral routing of signals (CROS) device enables to receive auditory information from the unaided side. This study investigates the feasibility as well as subjective and objective benefits of using a CI processor as a CROS device in unilateral CI recipients.MethodsThis is a single-center, prospective cohort study. First, we tested the directionality of the CROS processor in an acoustic chamber. Second, we examined the difference of speech perception in quiet and in noise in ten unilateral CI recipients with and without the CROS processor. Third, subjective ratings with the CROS processor were evaluated according to the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement Questionnaire.ResultsThere was a time delay between the two devices of 3 ms. Connection of the CROS processor led to a summation effect of 3 dB as well as a more constant amplification along all azimuths. Speech perception in quiet showed an increased word recognition score at 50 dB (mean improvement 7%). In noise, the head shadow effect could be mitigated with significant gain in speech perception (mean improvement 8.4 dB). This advantage was reversed in unfavorable listening situations, where the CROS device considerably amplified the noise (mean: – 4.8 dB). Subjectively, patients who did not normally wear a hearing aid on the non-CI side were satisfied with the CROS device.ConclusionsThe connection and synchronization of a CI processor as a CROS device is technically feasible and the signal processing strategies of the device can be exploited. In contra-laterally unaided patients, a subjective benefit can be achieved when wearing the CROS processor.
Highlights
In bilaterally deaf patients who do not sufficiently benefit from hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) are the treatment of choice nowadays
Previous studies show that CI recipients might benefit from a contralateral routing of signals (CROS) system especially in favorable hearing situations when speech is presented on the CROS side [3,4,5,6]
This study investigated the feasibility of connecting a CI processor as CROS device in unilateral CI users
Summary
In bilaterally deaf patients who do not sufficiently benefit from hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) are the treatment of choice nowadays. Hearing restoration of both ears has decisive advantages over unilateral implantation: the reduction of the acoustic head shadow, possibility of. In unfavorable situations (when noise is presented on the CROS side), the study results are not as consistent. Most studies demonstrate only small and non-significant effects with a switched-on CROS device. Mosnier et al demonstrated in a long-term study that, despite study participants wearing the CROS device regularly over a one year period and gave positive feedback, subjective ratings of three different questionnaires could not statistically capture this effect [9]
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