In-the-canal versus behind-the-ear microphones improve spatial discrimination on the side of the head in bilateral cochlear implant users.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether in-the-canal (ITC) microphones have an impact on spatial discrimination and speech perception by taking advantage of auricular cues.


METHODS
Experimental clinical study.


METHODS
Audiologic laboratory in a tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Seven bilateral adult cochlear implant (CI) users were selected from the institution's database.


METHODS
The adaptive German Oldenburg sentence test and minimum audible angle measurements were performed binaurally with experimental ITC and behind-the-ear (BTE) microphones.


METHODS
Spatial discrimination and speech perception scores assessed for each microphone position.


RESULTS
Spatial discrimination on the side of the head was superior using ITC compared with BTE microphone positions; the differences on the side of the first CI were statistically significant (mean minimum audible angle ± standard deviation, 28.4 ± 7.61 degrees versus 34.1 ± 14.4 degrees; p = 0.031). Speech perception scores with ITC versus BTE microphone positions also were improved, although the differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
ITC microphones could help to improve CI performance in the future.
University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
Georgios
G
Mantokoudis
Martin
M
Kompis
Mattheus
M
Vischer
Rudolf
R
Häusler
Marco
M
Caversaccio
Pascal
P
Senn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013017:Sound Localization / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*