European multi-centre study of the Nucleus Hybrid L24 cochlear implant. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lenarz, Thomas; James, Chris; Cuda, Domenico; Fitzgerald O'Connor, Alec; Frachet, Bruno; Frijns, Johan H.M.; Klenzner, Thomas; Laszig, Roland; Manrique, Manuel; Marx, Mathieu; Merkus, Paul; Mylanus, Emmanuel A.M.; Offeciers, Erwin; Pesch, Joerg; Ramos-Macias, Angel; Robier, Alain; Sterkers, Olivier; Uziel, Alain
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 52:Number 12(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 838
• Page End: 848
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2013.802032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives:</italic> To investigate the preservation of residual hearing in subjects who received the Nucleus Hybrid L24 cochlear implant. To investigate the performance benefits up to one year post-implantation in terms of speech recognition, sound quality, and quality of life. <italic>Design:</italic> Prospective, with sequential enrolment and within-subject comparisons. Post-operative performance using a Freedom Hybrid sound processor was compared with that of pre-operative hearing aids. <italic>Study sample:</italic> Sixty-six adult hearing-impaired subjects with bilateral severe-to-profound high frequency hearing loss. <italic>Results:</italic> Group median increase in air-conduction thresholds in the implanted ear for test frequencies 125–1000 Hz was < 15 dB across the population; both immediately and one year post-operatively. Eighty-eight percent of subjects used the Hybrid processor at one year post-op. Sixty-five percent of subjects had significant gain in speech recognition in quiet, and 73% in noise (≥ 20 percentage points/2 dB SNR). Mean SSQ subscale scores were significantly improved (+ 1.2, + 1.3, + 1.8 points, p < 0.001), as was mean HUI3 score (+ 0.117, p < 0.01). Combining residual hearing with CI gave 22−26 %age points mean benefit in speech recognition scores over CI alone (p < 0.01). <italic>Conclusions:</italic> Useful residual hearing was conserved in 88% of subjects. Speech perception was significantly improved over preoperative hearing aids, as was sound quality and quality of life.</p> </abstract>