title: Off the ear with no loss in speech understanding: comparing the RONDO and the OPUS 2 cochlear implant audio processors.
abstract: The RONDO is a single-unit cochlear implant audio processor, which omits the need for a behind-the-ear (BTE) audio processor. The primary aim was to compare speech perception results in quiet and in noise with the RONDO and the OPUS 2, a BTE audio processor. Secondary aims were to determine subjects' self-assessed levels of sound quality and gather subjective feedback on RONDO use. All speech perception tests were performed with the RONDO and the OPUS 2 behind-the-ear audio processor at 3 test intervals. Subjects were required to use the RONDO between test intervals. Subjects were tested at upgrade from the OPUS 2 to the RONDO and at 1 and 6 months after upgrade. Speech perception was determined using the Freiburg Monosyllables in quiet test and the Oldenburg Sentence Test (OLSA) in noise. Subjective perception was determined using the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19), and a RONDO device-specific questionnaire. 50 subjects participated in the study. Neither speech perception scores nor self-perceived sound quality scores were significantly different at any interval between the RONDO and the OPUS 2. Subjects reported high levels of satisfaction with the RONDO. The RONDO provides comparable speech perception to the OPUS 2 while providing users with high levels of satisfaction and comfort without increasing health risk. The RONDO is a suitable and safe alternative to traditional BTE audio processors.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie der Ruhr-Universität Bochum St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Bleichstraße 15, 44787, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dazert
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie der Ruhr-Universität Bochum St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Bleichstraße 15, 44787, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Deutsches HörZentrum Hannover, Karl-Wiechert-Allee 3, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Büchner
authors.affiliation: Klinikum Großhadern, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Klinikum Großhadern, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: John Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hempel
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Plastische Operationen, Universitäts-HNO-Klinik Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72070, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Löwenheim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Koerner", Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Str. 137-139, 18057, Rostock, Germany. robert.mlynski@med.uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mlynski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013067:Speech Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cochlear implant; RONDO; Sound quality; Speech perception; Speech processor