Artikel
Evaluation of Nucleus NRT based speech processor fitting in children
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Veröffentlicht: | 31. Mai 2005 |
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Gliederung
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Conventional methods for creating speech processor Programs (MAPs) for cochlear implant systems in children are mainly based on behavioural observations, are time consuming and need collaboration. To overcome these problems, fitting methods based on the Neural response Telemetry (NRT) have been proposed recently (i.e. Smoorenberg et al.). The aim of his study is to evaluate a fitting procedure, which uses NRT thresholds for the different electrodes as a profile for the T and C levels in the MAP. Level adjustments are made in live mode using a live voice as input for stimulation. The study is divided into two phases: In the first phase, ten children implanted with a Nucleus 24 System and with at least six month experience using a behaviourally fitted MAP are reprogrammed according to the NRT based method. Results between the two programmes are compared using a standard German speech test battery for speech development and speech understanding. In the second phase, two groups of ten children each are implanted with a Nucleus System. One group of children is programmed behaviourally while the other group is fitted with a NRT based MAP. The children´s development is observed three, six and twelve months after first fittingusing the same test battery as in phase one. Results were compared between the two groups. All children could be fitted with a NRT based MAP and improve over time. All phase one children preferred NRT MAPs. At the moment there are seven children in phase two of both groups. Programming took only 15 minutes. There were no problems fitting these children having NRT based MAPs (intraoperative NRT level). The results show that the NRT based MAP children have nearly the same development as the behaviour based MAP children. These results demonstrate that NRT based MAPs can be reliably used for the fitting of children.