title: Transient Noise Reduction in Cochlear Implant Users: a Multi-Band Approach.
abstract: A previously-tested transient noise reduction (TNR) algorithm for cochlear implant (CI) users was modified to detect and attenuate transients independently across multiple frequency-bands. Since speech and transient noise are often spectrally distinct, we hypothesized that benefits in speech intelligibility can be achieved over the earlier single-band design. Fifteen experienced CI users (49 to 72 years) were tested unilaterally using pre-processed stimuli delivered directly to a speech processor. Speech intelligibility in transient and soft stationary noise, subjective sound quality and the recognition of warning signals was investigated in three processing conditions: no TNR (TNRoff), single-band TNR (TNRsgl) and multi-band TNR (TNRmult). Notably, TNRmultimproved speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in cafeteria noise and office noise by up to 3 dB over both TNRoffand TNRsgl, and yielded higher comfort and clarity ratings in cafeteria noise. Our results indicate that multi-band transient noise reduction may be advantageous compared to a single-band approach, and reveal a substantial overall potential for TNR to improve speech perception and listening comfort in CI users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Dyballa
authors.affiliation: Advanced Bionics GmbH , Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Phillipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hehrmann
authors.affiliation: Advanced Bionics GmbH , Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hamacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lenarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buechner
keywords: Cochlear implant; comfort; noise reduction; speech intelligibility; transient