Programming cochlear implants based on pitch perception.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does deactivating electrodes that are indiscriminable, based on pitch perception tests, improve speech perception for adults cochlear implant (CI) recipients?
IRAS ID
141169
Contact name
Deborah Vickers
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/NE/1081, NRES Committee North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1
Research summary
The aim of the study is to optimise speech perception for Cochlear implants (CI) recipients, by prescribing a new programme known as Mapping(MAP, based on deactivating electrode that produce poor sound quality as assessed by standardised pitch ranking test and standard Psychophysical Tuning Curves (PTC). Currently there is no general consensus for determining how many electrodes should be active in relation to programming CI systems based on pitch ranking tests. However, some research suggests that that speech perception can be improved by programming the CI based on pitch ranking tests and deactivating electrodes that represent poor sound quality.
Based on this benefit, this study aims to optimise speech understanding as well as contribute towards developing a protocol for programming CI systems based on pitch ranking and assessment of electrode function. For this project, participants would be required to attend 8 sessions. In the first (baseline) session, a hearing test, standardise PTC will be administered to assess cochlear and electrode function. The PCT test is the only clinically available tool to fully assess the integrity of the cochlear and electrode function. Standardised pitch ranking test and a group of standardised speech test will be conducted with the participants’ current MAP and they will be issued with a research MAP, which will either be: MAP-B- where electrodes will be de-activated according to any electrodes that are indiscriminable based on the pitch perception and electrode function. MAP-A- electrodes will be randomly deactivated to reduce the complexity of the MAP. Half of the participants will follow A-B-B-A and the other half B-A-A-B over a period of 5 months. Participants will still have their clinical MAP to revert to should they require it. At the end of the study, the participants will be issued with their preferred MAP/s.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1081
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion