Identification of environmental sounds and speech in noise by cochlear implant adult users: which link?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate whether a link exists between non-linguistic sound identification and speech perception in noise for adult users of cochlear implant. 33 adults of both genders with an average duration of cochlear implant use of 12 months were assessed via an open- set test of non-linguistic sound perception (TISE), created for the study and previously administered to 24 normal-hearing adults, and via a speech perception test in noise (MBAA). The results of their last annual hearing skills and language intelligibility assessment were collected. Their subjective quality of life was also measured with the Nijmegen Cochlear Implantation Questionnaire (NCIQ, adapted in French). The noise speech scores (MBAA) of the 33 implanted subjects were significantly correlated with those obtained with TISE (r = 0,75 ; p < 0,0001) and with NCIQ responses (r = 0,68 ; p < 0,0001). There is also a correlation between MBAA in silence and TISE (r = 0,66 ; p < 0,0001). Implanted users with good speech perception in noise have good performance in non-linguistic sound identification, and vice versa. These objective results are confirmed by the results to the subjective self-questionnaire quality of life (NCIQ). A structured training to non-linguistic sound identification could ameliorate speech therapy practice in order to improve speech perception in noise, which is an ability related to the quality of life for experienced cochlear implant users.