Optimising the effect of noise reduction algorithm ClearVoice in cochlear implant users by increasing the maximum comfort levels.

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Optimising the effect of noise reduction algorithm ClearVoice in cochlear implant users by increasing the maximum comfort levels.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Oct 24;:1-6

Authors: Dingemanse JG, Goedegebure A

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: ClearVoice is a single-microphone noise reduction algorithm in Advanced Bionics cochlear implant(CI) systems with the aim to improve performance in background noise. The present study investigated a hypothesised increased effect of ClearVoice if combined with a structural increase of maximum comfort stimulation levels (M-levels) in the CI fitting.
DESIGN: We tested performance with ClearVoice (Medium) in four conditions, defined by combined settings of ClearVoice off/on and with/without 5% increase of M-levels. The main outcome measures were the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) and the speech reception threshold in continuous background noise (SRTn).
STUDY SAMPLE: Participants were 16 experienced cochlear implant recipients with Advanced Bionics implants and a Naida Q70 processor.
RESULTS: The ANL significantly improved by using either ClearVoice or an increase of M-levels. Combining both settings gave the largest improvement in ANL. For the SRTn, we found a small, but significant interaction between ClearVoice and an increase of M-levels, implying that ClearVoice improved speech understanding slightly, but only if combined with a 5% increase of M-levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Optimal profit from ClearVoice is obtained if combined with a structural 5% increase of M-levels.

PMID: 29065731 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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