Affiliation:
1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York‐Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York New York USA
2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
3. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland USA
4. Department of Mechanical Engineering Columbia University New York City New York USA
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveCochlear implant (CI) users frequently complain about speech quality perception (SQP). In patients undergoing cochlear implantation for single‐sided deafness, there is concern that poor SQP from the implanted ear will negatively impact binaural (CI + normal hearing [NH]) SQP. In this study, we investigate if binaural SQP is measurably different than unimplanted NH alone.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingTertiary care center.MethodsFifteen unilateral CI users with NH in the contralateral ear completed the validated Columbia Speech Quality Instrument. This instrument consists of 9 audio clips rated across 14 specific speech qualities using a 10‐point visual analog scale. SQP was assessed in 3 conditions: CI only, NH only, and CI + NH.ResultsMedian speech quality scores were worse in the CI only condition compared to the NH only (50.0 vs 72.6, P = .0003) and binaural (50.0 vs 71.0, P = .007) conditions. Median speech quality scores were not significantly different between the NH only and binaural conditions (72.6 vs 71, P = .8). Compared to NH, CI speech quality sounded less clear, less natural, and more mechanical.ConclusionCompared to NH, SQP is poorer with a CI alone. However, in contrast to expectation, there is no significant difference between NH and binaural SQP. This suggests poorer CI speech perception does not negatively impact binaural SQP in patients undergoing cochlear implantation for single‐sided deafness.