Improvement of sound source localization abilities in patients bilaterally supplied with active middle ear implants. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koci, Viktor; Seebacher, Josef; Weichbold, Viktor; Zorowka, Patrick; Wolf-Magele, Astrid; Sprinzl, Georg; Stephan, Kurt
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 136:Number 7(2016)
• Page Start: 692
• Page End: 698
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Middle ear implant -- sound source localization -- bilateral implant -- Vibrant Soundbridge; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2016.1155232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Conclusions : Patients, who are bilaterally supplied with active middle ear implants, perform slightly better in sound localization tasks than when unilaterally aided or unaided.Objectives : To investigate the impact of bilateral use of active middle ear implants on sound source localization in the horizontal plane in patients with a sloping moderate-to-severe hearing loss.Methods : Ten adults supplied with Med-EL Vibrant Soundbridge systems (VSB) in both ears participated in the study. Four listening conditions were tested: unaided, aided with VSB on left or right ear and on both sides. In each condition the subjects had to judge the direction of broadband noises delivered randomly across a semicircular array of 11 loudspeakers arranged in an anechoic chamber.Results : When unaided or bilaterally aided, the subjects localized on average 40% of the stimuli correct; when unilaterally aided (left or right), this rate dropped to 20–30% in either condition. Precision of sound localization was highest when bilaterally aided, i.e. the mean RMS angular error was 10°, and lowest when unilaterally aided, i.e. 15°. This is in line with bilateral hearing aid users, who show similar performance in sound localization tasks.