Artikel
Programming of Infants and Young Children Using A Behaviorally–Based Method and Two NRT–Based Methods
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 31. Mai 2005 |
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Gliederung
Text
Introduction
Programming of the speech processor requires the determination of threshold (T) levels and comfortable (C) levels which is often difficult in infants and young children. In recent years the use of objective measures was found to assist in the programming process. In the Nucleus 24 CI system, it has been shown that the NRT (neural response telemetry) measurements were well correlated with behaviorally obtained measurements. The purpose of the present study was to compare MAPs, sound-field aided thresholds and speech perception abilities in three groups of children that were programmed using: a behavioral- based method, that relies solely on behavioral responses, and two NRT- based methods.
Materials and Methods
Seventeen congenitally deaf children at the age of 12-39 months (mean age: 25 months) implanted with the Nucleus 24R(CS) cochlear implant participated in the study. Intra-operative NRT measurements were performed in all children, thereafter, the group was randomly divided into three: group 1: programmed using behavioral responses only (n=5), group 2: programmed using the Progressive Preset Maps method (Novy and Almquist, 2001), (n=5), group 3: programmed using the Smoorenburg method (Smoorenburg et al, 2002), (n=7). MAP parameters as well as sound field aided thresholds and speech perception abilities were compared among the groups at consecutive programming sessions: one, three, six, and 12 months post-connection.
Results
Different MAP profiles were evident after one month of implant use: group’s 1 MAP profiles were flat whereas groups 2 and 3 showed lower T and C levels at the basal and apical ends. Although group 3 showed lower T and C levels compared to groups 1 and 2, sound-field aided thresholds were comparable among the groups.
Conclusions
Despite the above described differences among groups, sound-field aided threshold and speech perception abilities were comparable among the groups by 12 months post-connection.