Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing
Abstract A cochlear implant is a neuroprosthetic device that can restore speech perception for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Because of recent evolutions, a growing number of people with a cochlear implant have useful residual acoustic hearing. While combined electro-acoustic stimulat...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38468-0 |
| _version_ | 1797778886980796416 |
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| author | Alexander Geerardyn Katleen De Voecht Jan Wouters Nicolas Verhaert |
| author_facet | Alexander Geerardyn Katleen De Voecht Jan Wouters Nicolas Verhaert |
| author_sort | Alexander Geerardyn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A cochlear implant is a neuroprosthetic device that can restore speech perception for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Because of recent evolutions, a growing number of people with a cochlear implant have useful residual acoustic hearing. While combined electro-acoustic stimulation has been shown to improve speech perception for this group of people, some studies report limited adoption rates. Here, we present electro-vibrational stimulation as an alternative combined stimulation strategy that similarly targets the full cochlear reserve. This novel strategy combines the electrical stimulation by the cochlear implant with low-frequency bone conduction stimulation. In a first evaluation of electro-vibrational stimulation, speech perception in noise was assessed in 9 subjects with a CI and symmetrical residual hearing. We demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement for speech perception in noise of 1.9 dB signal-to-noise ratio. This effect was observed with a first prototype that provides vibrational stimulation to both ears with limited transcranial attenuation. Future integration of electro-vibrational stimulation into one single implantable device could ultimately allow cochlear implant users to benefit from their low-frequency residual hearing without the need for an additional insert earphone. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:23:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24f5c1baaa114e54a44620c414ea3562 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:23:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-24f5c1baaa114e54a44620c414ea35622023-07-16T11:15:44ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-07-011311910.1038/s41598-023-38468-0Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearingAlexander Geerardyn0Katleen De Voecht1Jan Wouters2Nicolas Verhaert3ExpORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals LeuvenExpORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenExpORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenAbstract A cochlear implant is a neuroprosthetic device that can restore speech perception for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Because of recent evolutions, a growing number of people with a cochlear implant have useful residual acoustic hearing. While combined electro-acoustic stimulation has been shown to improve speech perception for this group of people, some studies report limited adoption rates. Here, we present electro-vibrational stimulation as an alternative combined stimulation strategy that similarly targets the full cochlear reserve. This novel strategy combines the electrical stimulation by the cochlear implant with low-frequency bone conduction stimulation. In a first evaluation of electro-vibrational stimulation, speech perception in noise was assessed in 9 subjects with a CI and symmetrical residual hearing. We demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement for speech perception in noise of 1.9 dB signal-to-noise ratio. This effect was observed with a first prototype that provides vibrational stimulation to both ears with limited transcranial attenuation. Future integration of electro-vibrational stimulation into one single implantable device could ultimately allow cochlear implant users to benefit from their low-frequency residual hearing without the need for an additional insert earphone.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38468-0 |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Geerardyn Katleen De Voecht Jan Wouters Nicolas Verhaert Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing Scientific Reports |
| title | Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| title_full | Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| title_fullStr | Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| title_short | Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| title_sort | electro vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38468-0 |
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