In-the-canal versus behind-the-ear microphones improve spatial discrimination on the side of the head in bilateral cochlear implant users.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether in-the-canal (ITC) microphones have an impact on spatial discrimination and speech perception by taking advantage of auricular cues.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental clinical study.

SETTING

Audiologic laboratory in a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Seven bilateral adult cochlear implant (CI) users were selected from the institution's database.

INTERVENTION

The adaptive German Oldenburg sentence test and minimum audible angle measurements were performed binaurally with experimental ITC and behind-the-ear (BTE) microphones.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Spatial discrimination and speech perception scores assessed for each microphone position.

RESULTS

Spatial discrimination on the side of the head was superior using ITC compared with BTE microphone positions; the differences on the side of the first CI were statistically significant (mean minimum audible angle ± standard deviation, 28.4 ± 7.61 degrees versus 34.1 ± 14.4 degrees; p = 0.031). Speech perception scores with ITC versus BTE microphone positions also were improved, although the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

ITC microphones could help to improve CI performance in the future.