title: Perception in noise with the Digisonic SP cochlear implant: Clinical trial of Saphyr processor's upgraded signal processing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2012, Bergeron et al. presented the outcomes of a study where speech recognition abilities were compared between the four major cochlear implant manufacturers from comparable samples assessed with the same protocols. At this moment, results showed no significant difference in speech perception between devices in quiet and in different noise conditions. But, while most devices appeared only slightly disturbed by the presence of a low to moderate noise level, the Oticon Medical device appeared significantly more sensitive to a degraded environment. In 2013, the signal processing strategy of this device has been upgraded. This study proposes to assess the benefits derived from this upgrade.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involves eighteen adults; most were also part of the 2012 study. All were tested before the implementation of the new signal processing strategy, immediately following the implementation of the strategy and after a one-month experience with the strategy. The same speech recognition test and conditions used in the 2012 study were applied, that is the HINT in quiet and in noise at +10, +5 and 0dB signal to noise ratio. Subjective impressions on the upgraded strategy were also gathered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study evidences similar performance for speech perception in quiet, but significant improvements for speech perception in noise with the new processing strategy compared to the original. Subjective reports confirm this improvement in more challenging conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high sensitivity to a degraded environment observed with the original Oticon Medical device has been significantly reduced by the introduction of more efficient noise reduction processing strategies.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, G1V 0A6 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: francois.bergeron@fmed.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, G1V 0A6 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hotton
mesh_terms: D003054:Cochlear Implants; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013067:Speech Perception
keywords: Cochlear implant; Noise; Oticon Medical; Signal processing; Speech perception