1-year results using the Opus speech processor with the fine structure speech coding strategy.
CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to the Tempo+ the new Opus speech processor stimulates with the new fine structure programming (FSP) speech coding strategy and offers an extended frequency spectrum. A significant improvement in speech perception for sentences at 10 dB SNR (signal to noise ratio) was observable.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects on speech perception in quiet and in noise with the Opus speech processor using FSP.


METHODS
Eight post-lingually deaf patients implanted with Pulsar cochlear implants and fitted with Tempo+ speech processors (both MED-EL) for a minimum of 1 year were tested at baseline with Tempo+ using continuous interleaved sampling (CIS), and at 1 year follow-up with the Opus speech processor using FSP. Monosyllables and sentence tests were performed in quiet, and sentence tests (HSM) in noise with 15, 10 and 5 dB SNR.


RESULTS
Mean speech perception scores showed a trend towards improvement for all tests. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement was only observed for the sentence test in noise at 10 dB SNR.
Riss
Dominik
D
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. jafar-sasan.hamzavi@meduniwien.ac.at
Arnoldner
Christoph
C
Reiss
Sonja
S
Baumgartner
Wolf-Dieter
WD
Hamzavi
Jafar-Sasan
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D013067:Speech Perception; D055815:Young Adult