title: Assessment of directionality performances: comparison between Freedom and CP810 sound processors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare speech recognition in noise for the Nucleus Freedom and CP810 sound processors using different directional settings among those available in the SmartSound portfolio.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-subject, repeated measures study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one monoaurally and binaurally implanted subjects (24 children and 7 adults) were enrolled. They were all experienced Nucleus Freedom sound processor users and achieved a 100% open set word recognition score in quiet listening conditions. Each patient was fitted with the Freedom and the CP810 processor. The program setting incorporated Adaptive Dynamic Range Optimization (ADRO) and adopted the directional algorithm BEAM (both devices) and ZOOM (only on CP810). Speech reception threshold (SRT) was assessed in a free-field layout, with disyllabic word list and interfering multilevel babble noise in the 3 different pre-processing configurations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, CP810 improved significantly patients' SRTs as compared to Freedom SP after 1 hour of use. Instead, no significant difference was observed in patients' SRT between the BEAM and the ZOOM algorithm fitted in the CP810 processor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that hardware developments achieved in the design of CP810 allow an immediate and relevant directional advantage as compared to the previous-generation Freedom device.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Audiovestibologia, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Razza
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: Lucilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ermoli
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccone
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cristofari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013060:Speech; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cochlear implant; microphone directionality; sound processor; speech reception threshold