title: Enhanced hearing in noise for cochlear implant recipients: clinical trial results for a commercially available speech-enhancement strategy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate benefits for speech perception and everyday listening in quiet and in noise with a speech-enhancement strategy called ClearVoice, which was designed to improve listening in complex acoustic environments without compromising hearing in quiet.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2-week randomized crossover design was used to evaluate ClearVoice in 46 adults unilaterally implanted with a CII/HiRes 90K cochlear implant who had at least 6 months experience with HiRes Fidelity 120 sound processing. Speech perception was assessed using the AzBio sentences presented in quiet, in speech-spectrum noise and in multitalker babble. Subjective listening benefit and strategy preference were assessed with a questionnaire. ClearVoice has 3 gain settings (low, medium, and high), each intended as a full-time listening option according to individual preference. Speech understanding after acute use of ClearVoice-low was compared with HiRes Fidelity 120 during an initial test session. Speech perception abilities were compared with HiRes Fidelity 120 after 2 weeks of exclusive use of ClearVoice-medium, and after 2 weeks of exclusive use of ClearVoice-high. During a fifth week, participants were fit with 3 programs for comparison (HiRes Fidelity 120, ClearVoice-medium, and ClearVoice-high), after which, they reported preference and everyday listening benefits via a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ClearVoice significantly improved speech understanding in speech-spectrum noise and multitalker babble, did not compromise listening in quiet, was preferred for everyday listening, and provided improved hearing in real-life situations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ClearVoice improves hearing in noise for cochlear implant recipients who use HiRes Fidelity 120 sound processing.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Bionics LLC, Valencia, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Dawn Burton
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quick
authors.forename: Mary Joe
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Osberger
authors.forename: Aniket
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saoji
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Litvak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult