A new audio processor for combined electric and acoustic stimulation for the treatment of partial deafness.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate that a conversion from the Duet to Duet 2 audio processor greatly improved patient satisfaction and subjective benefits.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to compare the DUET 2 audio processor to the DUET speech processor and to evaluate DUET 2 user satisfaction subjectively.


METHODS
Ten experienced electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) users following partial deafness treatment upgraded from the MED-EL DUET to the DUET 2 were tested with the adaptive auditory speech test, Pruszewicz monosyllabic word test, visual analog scales, and Duet 2 user questionnaire. Tests were performed post-upgrade and compared simultaneously to the DUET at three test intervals over 3 months.


RESULTS
Objective analyses showed that all subjects performed as well with the DUET 2 as the DUET. There was a tendency toward better results with the DUET 2. Subjective testing indicated DUET 2 user preference upon speech and musical stimuli. DUET 2 subject satisfaction was high for wearing comfort, sound quality, and for FineTuner and Private Alert features.
Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland. a.lorens@ifps.org.pl
Artur
A
Lorens
Malgorzata
M
Zgoda
Henryk
H
Skarzynski
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult