title: Speech based optimization of cochlear implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes an innovative method to optimize cochlear implant (CI) devices for individual patients using speech stimuli.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline performance of clinically created CI settings was evaluated objectively (CNC and BKB-SIN) and subjectively (listening situation questionnaire). Participants underwent the Clarujust optimization procedure during two sessions, each two weeks apart, allowing for acclimatization and experience with each group of programs. Outcome testing was completed on both optimization settings during the two week follow-up session. CNC and BKB-SIN scores were compared within participants across test sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty adult experienced CI users were reprogrammed using the Clarujust™ fitting procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements (p < 0.05) on CNC words and BKB-SIN sentences were observed with optimized maps compared to maps programmed using standard methods. Subjective performance also showed increased satisfaction with the optimized maps. The maps for individual users varied significantly and no single fitting applied for all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Clarujust optimization method of programming CIs shows promise to improve patient performance and increase patient satisfaction in a shorter clinical test time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. aholmes@phhp.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Alice E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shrivastav
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Hannah W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Siburt
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013067:Speech Perception