Electroacoustic verification of frequency modulation systems in cochlear implant users

Author(s)

Vanessa Luisa Destro Fidêncio

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2017-07-06

Examining board members

Adriane Lima Mortari Moret; Regina Tangerino de Souza Jacob; Carmen Silvia Carvalho Barreira Nielsen; Liège Franzini Tanamati

• Advisor: Adriane Lima Mortari Moret

Abstract

The purpose of this study was perform and determine the validity of an electroacoustic verification test for FM Systems coupled to different cochlear implant speech processors. The sample included 40 participants between 5-18 years users of four different models of speech processors. For the electroacoustic evaluation, we used the Audioscan Verifit device with the HA-1 coupler and the listening check devices corresponding to each speech processor model. In cases where the transparency was not achieved, was made a modification in the FM gain adjustment and used the Brazilian version of the \"Phrases in Noise Test\" (PINT) to evaluate the speech perception in competitive noise. It was observed that there was transparency between the FM System and the cochlear implant in 85% of the participants evaluated. After adjusting the gain of the FM receiver in the other participants, the devices showed transparency when the electroacoustic verification test was repeated. It was also observed that they presented better performance in speech perception in noise after a new adjustment, that is, in these cases, the electroacoustic transparency caused behavioral transparency. It was concluded that the electroacoustic evaluation protocol suggested was effective to evaluate transparency between the FM System and the cochlear implant. Performing the adjustment of the speech processor and the FM System gain are essential when fitting this device. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/20398-1 - Electroacoustic verification of frequency modulation systems in cochlear implant users
• Grantee: Vanessa Luisa Destro Fidêncio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate