Measuring speech recognition abillities in quiet and noise in cochlear implant users

Speech recognition abilities vary considerably among Cochlear Implant (CI)
users, and knowledge of the underlying factors is still very limited. In future
studies we aim to investigate how auditory coding and non-auditory factors
influence the speech recognition abilities in CI users. For measuring speech
recognition several test procedures are commonly used. However, especially for
CI users, all of these tests have their drawbacks like: floor and ceiling
effects outside a narrow applicability range, or unwanted association with
language proficiency. A recently developed test from our department, using
digit triplets as speech signal applied in noise, seems to be less affected by
these problems and therefore better suitable for evaluating speech recognition
in CI users. In the current study we want to compare the digit-triplet test
with more commonly used tests on speech recognition.

The primary objective is to investigate to investigate the construct validity
of the digit-triplet test for measuring the speech-recognition ability. For
this reason we will study the relations between scores on the triplet test with
other speech-intelligibility scores, scores on a linguistic test and subjective
auditory performance. Secondly we will investigate the reliability and
feasibility of the triplet test as compared to more common tests.

We aim to find a test that is applicable for a broad range of hearing losses to
make comparison of test scores among listeners possible. Additionally we will
look for a suitable outcome measure for future studies on factors affecting the
speech recognition abilities in CI users.

cross-sectional study

Participants will attend a 2 hour test session. Tests include 5 speech
recognition tests, a language test and a questionnaire on auditory performance
in daily life. Participants are at no health risk.