Impact of Noise Reduction in Hearing Aids on Cochlear Implant Candidacy
Author Information
Author(s): Saoji Aniket A., Sheikh Bilal A., Bertsch Natasha J., Goulson Kayla R., Graham Madison K., McDonald Elizabeth A., Bross Abigail E., Vaisberg Jonathan M., Kühnel Volker, Voss Solveig C., Qian Jinyu, Hogan Cynthia H., DeJong Melissa D.
Primary Institution: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Hypothesis
How does deep neural network-based noise reduction in hearing aids impact cochlear implant candidacy?
Conclusion
DNN-based noise reduction might make it difficult for some patients with significant residual hearing to qualify for cochlear implantation.
Supporting Evidence
- The spheric speech in loud noise program improved speech perception by 20 to 32% points compared to the calm situation program.
- Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in speech perception scores among the programs under both 10 dB and 5 dB multi-talker babble conditions.
- Patients using the spheric speech in loud noise program achieved scores above the 60% threshold for cochlear implantation.
Takeaway
This study found that advanced noise reduction in hearing aids can help some people hear better, which might mean they don't need cochlear implants.
Methodology
Speech perception was assessed using AzBio sentences in quiet and noisy conditions at 5 and 10 dB signal-to-noise ratios for 10 hearing-impaired patients using three hearing aid programs.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and focused on moderate-to-profound sloping sensorineural hearing loss.
Participant Demographics
Five patients had bilateral hearing loss and five had unilateral hearing loss with a cochlear implant in one ear.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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