Brendel Martina, Rottmann Tobias, Lenarz Thomas, Buechner Andreas
Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Cochlear Implants Int. 2013 Jan;14(1):36-44. doi: 10.1179/1754762811Y.0000000032.
When new cochlear implant (CI) sound processors are being introduced by the manufacturers, usually the newest generation implants benefit first from the new technology in order to release the full potential of the new hardware. Subsequently, for the Advanced Bionics system the Harmony behind-the-ear processor was only compatible to the newer generation implants, i.e. the CII and HiRes90K, at the time of market release. After further development of a new Digital Signal Processing code the Harmony could also support the first implant generation, the 'C1' (Clarion 1.0 and 1.2). This study reports on a field trial with a new sound processor designed to be used with older generation CIs from Advanced Bionics, focussing on ergonomic and performance benefits.
Speech perception tests (Freiburger monosyllables, HSM sentence tests) were performed at a baseline appointment with the subject's clinical processor, followed by the fitting of the Harmony. After a 1 month take-home period the tests were repeated with the Harmony. Additionally, subjective evaluation through questionnaires and a structured interview were administered after upgrading to the sound processor 'C1 Harmony'. Adult users of Advanced Bionics C1 series CIs (n = 29) participated in this study.
The new processor provided superior performance in many, though not all, of the speech recognition measurements. Subjective reports indicated certain practical benefits from the new processor, particularly for previous users of body-worn processors. Overall, 80% of the subjects preferred the new processor.
The positive outcomes from this trial have resulted in the decision to make the new C1 Harmony processor available to all existing users of the early C1 devices.
当制造商推出新的人工耳蜗（CI）声音处理器时，通常最新一代的植入设备首先受益于新技术，以释放新硬件的全部潜力。随后，对于先进生物科技公司（Advanced Bionics）的系统，耳背式和谐（Harmony）处理器在市场发布时仅与新一代植入设备兼容，即第二代人工耳蜗（CII）和高分辨率90K（HiRes90K）。在开发了新的数字信号处理代码后，和谐处理器也能够支持第一代植入设备，即“C1”（Clarion 1.0和1.2）。本研究报告了一项针对先进生物科技公司较老一代人工耳蜗设计的新型声音处理器的现场试验，重点关注其在人体工程学和性能方面的优势。
在基线检查时，使用受试者的临床处理器进行语音感知测试（弗莱堡单音节词、HSM句子测试），随后安装和谐处理器。在佩戴1个月后，再次使用和谐处理器进行测试。此外，在升级到“C1和谐”声音处理器后，通过问卷调查和结构化访谈进行主观评估。先进生物科技公司C1系列人工耳蜗的成年用户（n = 29）参与了本研究。
新处理器在许多（但并非所有）语音识别测量中表现出卓越性能。主观报告表明，新处理器具有一定的实际优势，特别是对于以前使用体佩式处理器的用户。总体而言，80%的受试者更喜欢新处理器。
该试验的积极结果促使决定向所有早期C1设备的现有用户提供新型C1和谐处理器。
