scholarly journals Music perception and speech intelligibility in noise performance by Italian-speaking cochlear implant users

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilal Dincer D’Alessandro ◽  
Patrick J. Boyle ◽  
Ginevra Portanova ◽  
Patrizia Mancini
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
Classical Music ◽  
Adaptive Tests ◽  
Soul Music ◽  
Language Studies ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Everyday Performance

Abstract Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the performance correlations between music perception and speech intelligibility in noise by Italian-speaking cochlear implant (CI) users. Materials and methods Twenty postlingually deafened adults with unilateral CIs (mean age 65 years, range 46–92 years) were tested with a music quality questionnaire using three passages of music from Classical Music, Jazz, and Soul. Speech recognition in noise was assessed using two newly developed adaptive tests in Italian: The Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels (STARR) and Matrix tests. Results Median quality ratings for Classical, Jazz and Soul music were 63%, 58% and 58%, respectively. Median SRTs for the STARR and Matrix tests were 14.3 dB and 7.6 dB, respectively. STARR performance was significantly correlated with Classical music ratings (rs = − 0.49, p = 0.029), whereas Matrix performance was significantly correlated with both Classical (rs = − 0.48, p = 0.031) and Jazz music ratings (rs = − 0.56, p = 0.011). Conclusion Speech with competitive noise and music are naturally present in everyday listening environments. Recent speech perception tests based on an adaptive paradigm and sentence materials in relation with music quality measures might be representative of everyday performance in CI users. The present data contribute to cross-language studies and suggest that improving music perception in CI users may yield everyday benefit in speech perception in noise and may hence enhance the quality of listening for CI users.

scholarly journals Logatome Discrimination in Cochlear Implant Users: Subjective Tests Compared to the Mismatch Negativity

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 329-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Rahne ◽  
Michael Ziese ◽  
Dorothea Rostalski ◽  
Roland Mühler
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Mismatch Negativity ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Discrimination Test ◽  
Speech Database ◽  
Automated Speech Recognition ◽  
Related Potentials

This paper describes a logatome discrimination test for the assessment of speech perception in cochlear implant users (CI users), based on a multilingual speech database, the Oldenburg Logatome Corpus, which was originally recorded for the comparison of human and automated speech recognition. The logatome discrimination task is based on the presentation of 100 logatome pairs (i.e., nonsense syllables) with balanced representations of alternating “vowel-replacement” and “consonant-replacement” paradigms in order to assess phoneme confusions. Thirteen adult normal hearing listeners and eight adult CI users, including both good and poor performers, were included in the study and completed the test after their speech intelligibility abilities were evaluated with an established sentence test in noise. Furthermore, the discrimination abilities were measured electrophysiologically by recording the mismatch negativity (MMN) as a component of auditory event-related potentials. The results show a clear MMN response only for normal hearing listeners and CI users with good performance, correlating with their logatome discrimination abilities. Higher discrimination scores for vowel-replacement paradigms than for the consonant-replacement paradigms were found. We conclude that the logatome discrimination test is well suited to monitor the speech perception skills of CI users. Due to the large number of available spoken logatome items, the Oldenburg Logatome Corpus appears to provide a useful and powerful basis for further development of speech perception tests for CI users.

scholarly journals Speech intelligibility enhancement for Thai-speaking cochlear implant listeners

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 866
Author(s):  
Siriporn Dachasilaruk ◽  
Niphat Jantharamin ◽  
Apichai Rungruang
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Enhancement ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
English Language ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Spectral Subtraction ◽  
Monosyllabic Words ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Babble Noise ◽  
Vocoded Speech

Cochlear implant (CI) listeners encounter difficulties in communicating with other persons in noisy listening environments. However, most CI research has been carried out using the English language. In this study, single-channel speech enhancement (SE) strategies as a pre-processing approach for the CI system were investigated in terms of Thai speech intelligibility improvement. Two SE algorithms, namely multi-band spectral subtraction (MBSS) and Weiner filter (WF) algorithms, were evaluated. Speech signals consisting of monosyllabic and bisyllabic Thai words were degraded by speech-shaped noise and babble noise at SNR levels of 0, 5, and 10 dB. Then the noisy words were enhanced using SE algorithms. The enhanced words were fed into the CI system to synthesize vocoded speech. The vocoded speech was presented to twenty normal-hearing listeners. The results indicated that speech intelligibility was marginally improved by the MBSS algorithm and significantly improved by the WF algorithm in some conditions. The enhanced bisyllabic words showed a noticeably higher intelligibility improvement than the enhanced monosyllabic words in all conditions, particularly in speech-shaped noise. Such outcomes may be beneficial to Thai-speaking CI listeners.

Assessment and Outcome in Non-Traditional Cochlear Implant Candidates

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Heywood ◽  
Deborah A. Vickers ◽  
Francesca Pinto ◽  
George Fereos ◽  
Azhar Shaida
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Patient Expectations ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Profound Deafness ◽  
The Mean

The objectives of this study were to assess: (i) patient expectations met as a measure of outcome in early-deafened, late-implanted (non-traditional) cochlear implant recipients and (ii) pre-implantation predictive factors for postoperative speech perception. The notes of 13 recipients were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age at onset of profound deafness was 1.5 years (range 0-6). The mean age at implantation was 37 years (range 22-51 years). Patient expectations were assessed pre-operatively and 1 year after implantation. They were met or exceeded in 129/140 (92%) domains overall. A higher Speech Intelligibility Rating and audiovisual City University of New York sentence score before implantation were found to be positive predictive factors for improved speech discrimination after cochlear implantation.

scholarly journals The relationship between speech intelligibility and speech perception in cochlear implant patients

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Freimann ◽  
D Polterauer ◽  
S Gollwitzer ◽  
J Müller ◽  
ME Schuster
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Speech Perception for Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients in a Realistic Background Noise: Effectiveness of Preprocessing Strategies and External Options for Improving Speech Recognition in Noise

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (07) ◽  
pp. 441-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
René H. Gifford ◽  
Lawrence J. Revit
Keyword(s):  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Listening In Noise

Background: Although cochlear implant patients are achieving increasingly higher levels of performance, speech perception in noise continues to be problematic. The newest generations of implant speech processors are equipped with preprocessing and/or external accessories that are purported to improve listening in noise. Most speech perception measures in the clinical setting, however, do not provide a close approximation to real-world listening environments. Purpose: To assess speech perception for adult cochlear implant recipients in the presence of a realistic restaurant simulation generated by an eight-loudspeaker (R-SPACE™) array in order to determine whether commercially available preprocessing strategies and/or external accessories yield improved sentence recognition in noise. Research Design: Single-subject, repeated-measures design with two groups of participants: Advanced Bionics and Cochlear Corporation recipients. Study Sample: Thirty-four subjects, ranging in age from 18 to 90 yr (mean 54.5 yr), participated in this prospective study. Fourteen subjects were Advanced Bionics recipients, and 20 subjects were Cochlear Corporation recipients. Intervention: Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in semidiffuse restaurant noise originating from an eight-loudspeaker array were assessed with the subjects' preferred listening programs as well as with the addition of either Beam™ preprocessing (Cochlear Corporation) or the T-Mic® accessory option (Advanced Bionics). Data Collection and Analysis: In Experiment 1, adaptive SRTs with the Hearing in Noise Test sentences were obtained for all 34 subjects. For Cochlear Corporation recipients, SRTs were obtained with their preferred everyday listening program as well as with the addition of Focus preprocessing. For Advanced Bionics recipients, SRTs were obtained with the integrated behind-the-ear (BTE) mic as well as with the T-Mic. Statistical analysis using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) evaluated the effects of the preprocessing strategy or external accessory in reducing the SRT in noise. In addition, a standard t-test was run to evaluate effectiveness across manufacturer for improving the SRT in noise. In Experiment 2, 16 of the 20 Cochlear Corporation subjects were reassessed obtaining an SRT in noise using the manufacturer-suggested “Everyday,” “Noise,” and “Focus” preprocessing strategies. A repeated-measures ANOVA was employed to assess the effects of preprocessing. Results: The primary findings were (i) both Noise and Focus preprocessing strategies (Cochlear Corporation) significantly improved the SRT in noise as compared to Everyday preprocessing, (ii) the T-Mic accessory option (Advanced Bionics) significantly improved the SRT as compared to the BTE mic, and (iii) Focus preprocessing and the T-Mic resulted in similar degrees of improvement that were not found to be significantly different from one another. Conclusion: Options available in current cochlear implant sound processors are able to significantly improve speech understanding in a realistic, semidiffuse noise with both Cochlear Corporation and Advanced Bionics systems. For Cochlear Corporation recipients, Focus preprocessing yields the best speech-recognition performance in a complex listening environment; however, it is recommended that Noise preprocessing be used as the new default for everyday listening environments to avoid the need for switching programs throughout the day. For Advanced Bionics recipients, the T-Mic offers significantly improved performance in noise and is recommended for everyday use in all listening environments.

Multidisciplinary perspectives on music perception and cognition for cochlear implant users

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Alexander Chern ◽  
Iliza Butera
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Noisy Environments ◽  
Complex Sounds ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
Therapeutic Measures ◽  
Robust Processing

For over 30 years, cochlear implants (CIs) have been successfully providing sound and speech perception to individuals who suffer from severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Despite many recent advances in CI technology, significant challenges remain for users, including speech perception in noisy environments, identifying vocal emotion, and perhaps most notably, music perception and appreciation. Moreover, pediatric cochlear implant users often demonstrate a slower and more variable language development trajectory compared to their normal hearing peers, which is in part due to the imperfect hearing restoration by these devices. In this brief report, we discuss multidisciplinary perspectives on music perception and cognition for CI users, as well as how they can be employed to improve the cochlear implant experience. We divide these strategies into two categories—a top-down approach (e.g., employing therapeutic measures to help train the CI user’s brain to fully reap the benefits of cochlear implantation) and a bottom-up approach (e.g., improving the auditory input through developing new technology, creating individualized programming strategies, and developing music specifically tailored for CI users). These individualized, yet multidirectional approaches will help create a functionally-integrated system that supports robust processing of complex sounds, which is essential for many everyday tasks.

scholarly journals Discrimination of Stochastic Frequency Modulation by Cochlear Implant Users

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (06) ◽  
pp. 572-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Sheft ◽  
Min-Yu Cheng ◽  
Valeriy Shafiro
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Stimulus Duration ◽  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Common Basis ◽  
Low Rate

Background: Past work has shown that low-rate frequency modulation (FM) may help preserve signal coherence, aid segmentation at word and syllable boundaries, and benefit speech intelligibility in the presence of a masker. Purpose: This study evaluated whether difficulties in speech perception by cochlear implant (CI) users relate to a deficit in the ability to discriminate among stochastic low-rate patterns of FM. Research Design: This is a correlational study assessing the association between the ability to discriminate stochastic patterns of low-rate FM and the intelligibility of speech in noise. Study Sample: Thirteen postlingually deafened adult CI users participated in this study. Data Collection and Analysis: Using modulators derived from 5-Hz lowpass noise applied to a 1-kHz carrier, thresholds were measured in terms of frequency excursion both in quiet and with a speech-babble masker present, stimulus duration, and signal-to-noise ratio in the presence of a speech-babble masker. Speech perception ability was assessed in the presence of the same speech-babble masker. Relationships were evaluated with Pearson product–moment correlation analysis with correction for family-wise error, and commonality analysis to determine the unique and common contributions across psychoacoustic variables to the association with speech ability. Results: Significant correlations were obtained between masked speech intelligibility and three metrics of FM discrimination involving either signal-to-noise ratio or stimulus duration, with shared variance among the three measures accounting for much of the effect. Compared to past results from young normal-hearing adults and older adults with either normal hearing or a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, mean FM discrimination thresholds obtained from CI users were higher in all conditions. Conclusions: The ability to process the pattern of frequency excursions of stochastic FM may, in part, have a common basis with speech perception in noise. Discrimination of differences in the temporally distributed place coding of the stimulus could serve as this common basis for CI users.

scholarly journals Individual Hearing Outcomes in Cochlear Implant Users Influence Social Engagement and Listening Behavior in Everyday Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Erin R. O'Neill ◽  
John D. Basile ◽  
Peggy Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Listening Behavior ◽  
Listening Strategies ◽  
Hearing Outcomes

Purpose The goal of this study was to assess the listening behavior and social engagement of cochlear implant (CI) users and normal-hearing (NH) adults in daily life and relate these actions to objective hearing outcomes. Method Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) collected using a smartphone app were used to probe patterns of listening behavior in CI users and age-matched NH adults to detect differences in social engagement and listening behavior in daily life. Participants completed very short surveys every 2 hr to provide snapshots of typical, everyday listening and socializing, as well as longer, reflective surveys at the end of the day to assess listening strategies and coping behavior. Speech perception testing, with accompanying ratings of task difficulty, was also performed in a lab setting to uncover possible correlations between objective and subjective listening behavior. Results Comparisons between speech intelligibility testing and EMA responses showed poorer performing CI users spending more time at home and less time conversing with others than higher performing CI users and their NH peers. Perception of listening difficulty was also very different for CI users and NH listeners, with CI users reporting little difficulty despite poor speech perception performance. However, both CI users and NH listeners spent most of their time in listening environments they considered “not difficult.” CI users also reported using several compensatory listening strategies, such as visual cues, whereas NH listeners did not. Conclusion Overall, the data indicate systematic differences between how individual CI users and NH adults navigate and manipulate listening and social environments in everyday life.

scholarly journals Temporal Stability of Music Perception and Appraisal Scores of Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (01) ◽  
pp. 028-034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Gfeller ◽  
Dingfeng Jiang ◽  
Jacob J. Oleson ◽  
Virginia Driscoll ◽  
John F. Knutson
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
One Year

Background: An extensive body of literature indicates that cochlear implants (CIs) are effective in supporting speech perception of persons with severe to profound hearing losses who do not benefit to any great extent from conventional hearing aids. Adult CI recipients tend to show significant improvement in speech perception within 3 mo following implantation as a result of mere experience. Furthermore, CI recipients continue to show modest improvement as long as 5 yr postimplantation. In contrast, data taken from single testing protocols of music perception and appraisal indicate that CIs are less than ideal in transmitting important structural features of music, such as pitch, melody, and timbre. However, there is presently little information documenting changes in music perception or appraisal over extended time as a result of mere experience. Purpose: This study examined two basic questions: (1) Do adult CI recipients show significant improvement in perceptual acuity or appraisal of specific music listening tasks when tested in two consecutive years? (2) If there are tasks for which CI recipients show significant improvement with time, are there particular demographic variables that predict those CI recipients most likely to show improvement with extended CI use? Research Design: A longitudinal cohort study. Implant recipients return annually for visits to the clinic. Study Sample: The study included 209 adult cochlear implant recipients with at least 9 mo implant experience before their first year measurement. Data Collection and Analysis: Outcomes were measured on the patient's annual visit in two consecutive years. Paired t-tests were used to test for significant improvement from one year to the next. Those variables demonstrating significant improvement were subjected to regression analyses performed to detect the demographic variables useful in predicting said improvement. Results: There were no significant differences in music perception outcomes as a function of type of device or processing strategy used. Only familiar melody recognition (FMR) and recognition of melody excerpts with lyrics (MERT-L) showed significant improvement from one year to the next. After controlling for the baseline value, hearing aid use, months of use, music listening habits after implantation, and formal musical training in elementary school were significant predictors of FMR improvement. Bilateral CI use, formal musical training in high school and beyond, and a measure of sequential cognitive processing were significant predictors of MERT-L improvement. Conclusion: These adult CI recipients as a result of mere experience demonstrated fairly consistent music perception and appraisal on measures gathered in two consecutive years. Gains made tend to be modest, and can be associated with characteristics such as use of hearing aids, listening experiences, or bilateral use (in the case of lyrics). These results have implications for counseling of CI recipients with regard to realistic expectations and strategies for enhancing music perception and enjoyment.

Music Perception and Speech-in-Noise Skills of Typical Hearing and Cochlear Implant Listeners

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Fowler ◽  
Hannah Calhoun ◽  
Andrea D. Warner-Czyz
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Melody Recognition ◽  
Pitch Direction ◽  
Timbre Recognition ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Cognitive Foundations

Purpose Adult cochlear implant (CI) users rate music as one of the most important auditory stimuli, second to speech perception. However, few studies simultaneously examine music perception and speech-in-noise perception in adult CI recipients. This study explores the effect of auditory status on music perception and speech-in-noise perception recognition in noise as well as the relationship among music engagement, music perception, and speech-in-noise perception. Method Participants include 10 adults with typical hearing (TH) and 10 adults with long-term CI use. All participants completed the Music-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, which assesses subjective music experiences and their importance; the Pitch Direction Discrimination, Familiar Melody Recognition, and Timbre Recognition subtests of the Clinical Assessment of Music Perception for Cochlear Implants; the Unfamiliar Melody Recognition subtest of the Profile of Music Perception Skills; and the Bamford–Kowal–Bench Speech-in-Noise Test . Results The TH group significantly outperformed the CI group for speech-in-noise perception and on all four music perception tasks. The CI group exhibited not only significantly poorer mean scores but also greater variability in performance compared to the TH group. Only Familiar Melody Recognition and Unfamiliar Melody Recognition subtests significantly correlated with speech-in-noise scores. Conclusions Patients and professionals should not assume speech perception and music perception in adult CI users derive from the same auditory or cognitive foundations. The lack of significant relationships among music engagement, music perception, and speech-in-noise perception scores in adult CI users suggests this population enjoys music despite poor and variable performance in discrete music tasks.

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