title: Handling of the MED-EL TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor by paediatric cochlear implant users and their parents.
abstract: MED-EL launched the first ear-level speech processor offering a high-rate CIS+ strategy, the TEMPO+, in 1999. Studies have already demonstrated improved speech perception, sound quality and ability to enjoy music with the TEMPO+ due to the new CIS+ speech-coding strategy, when compared to the body-worn processor. In this study we evaluated responses from parents of young children about ease of handling and usage of the TEMPO+, and satisfaction with the TEMPO+ and its performance. Overall, 65 custom-designed questionnaires were analysed. The results showed that MED-EL cochlear implant users felt comfortable manipulating the dials and switches, changing the battery pack, using external sources of input and using the accessories provided. These results confirm the suitability of the TEMPO+ for infants and toddlers.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria. ilona.anderson@medel.com
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buchreiter
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bisanar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000523:psychology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013067:Speech Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome