The number of people who are deaf and who receive bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) has grown substantially in recent years. Many bilateral CI users demonstrate significant benefits from bilateral implantation, such as better speech-understanding in noise and improved sound localization. However, the performance of many patients is still notably worse than that of normal hearing (NH) listeners. Proposed experiments will systematically investigate a number of factors that are likely to contribute to the gap in performance. We will use a multi-pronged approach to integrate a number of research methodologies that are concerned with spatial and binaural hearing. Methods will vary from having tight control over the signals presented to the auditory nerve to difficult-to-control stimuli presented in free field. Within this range, using novel binaural research processing strategies, we will manipulate the stimulus naturalness, from unrealistic non-speech stimuli, such as electrically pulsed signals presented to single pairs of electrodes, to the most realistic of stimuli, speech presented under complex multi-source listening conditions. By combining control with naturalness we aim to better understand what conditions are likely to maximize the success of cochlear implant users. In addition to offering opportunities for translation from research to clinic, the proposed research asks questions that probe auditory mechanisms in normal-hearing listeners and aims to provide knowledge that can advance basic science. These studies are conducted using models that simulate cochlear implant listening.
Aim 1 investigates factors at the level of individual electrically pulsed signals. Using a research processor designed to carefully control selected binaural pairs of electrodes, cues that are known to be important for binaural hearing will be introduced to multiple electrode pairs, simulating aspects of real-world listening and testing effects of electrode mismatch across the ears.
Aim 2 uses digital signal processing for audio signals. Using a custom made binaural program, clinical speech coding strategies with varying numbers of pitch-matched binaural channels are used. We will aim to demonstrate conditions under which preservation of binaural cues offers advantages for binaural abilities in bilateral CI users that have not been previously seen.
Aim 3 is to investigate the effects of age of deafness and age at onset of bilateral hearing on performance. We will systematically recruit patients into prospective groups that vary according to pre-lingual, mid-childhood or adult onset of deafness, with unilateral and bilateral activation ages controlled. We will test hypotheses about auditory plasticity and its impact on binaural hearing. Overall, this project will offer opportunities for translation from research to clinic with important clinical implications in terms of bilateral fitting choices, rehabilitation and counseling. In addition, we will advance basic science in the auditory field by investigating mechanisms in NH listeners under degraded listening conditions.

Public Health Relevance

This research is aimed at advancing knowledge in auditory science, focusing on binaural hearing in deaf people who use bilateral cochlear implants.
We aim to better understand what conditions are likely to maximize the success of cochlear implant users. Findings will have a direct translational component, with regard to bilateral fitting choices, rehabilitation and counseling. Findings will have relevance to children who are deaf, because parents often struggle with the decision regarding bilateral implantation vs. """"""""saving an ear"""""""" for future technology. If bilateral CIs cannot ultimately provide excellent binaural hearing, and if alternative treatments for deafness become feasible, our work will be of importance to pediatric decision making.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC003083-14
Application #
8427266
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-B (04))
Program Officer
Donahue, Amy
Project Start
1998-05-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2013-03-01
Budget End
2014-02-28
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$439,250
Indirect Cost
$139,281
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Goupell, Matthew J; Stoelb, Corey A; Kan, Alan et al. (2018) The Effect of Simulated Interaural Frequency Mismatch on Speech Understanding and Spatial Release From Masking. Ear Hear 39:895-905
Thakkar, Tanvi; Kan, Alan; Jones, Heath G et al. (2018) Mixed stimulation rates to improve sensitivity of interaural timing differences in bilateral cochlear implant listeners. J Acoust Soc Am 143:1428
Kan, Alan (2018) Improving Speech Recognition in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users by Listening With the Better Ear. Trends Hear 22:2331216518772963
Litovsky, Ruth Y; Moua, Keng; Godar, Shelly et al. (2018) Restoration of spatial hearing in adult cochlear implant users with single-sided deafness. Hear Res :
Todd, Ann E; Goupell, Matthew J; Litovsky, Ruth Y (2017) The Relationship Between Intensity Coding and Binaural Sensitivity in Adults With Cochlear Implants. Ear Hear 38:e128-e141
Zheng, Yi; EscabĂ­, Monty; Litovsky, Ruth Y (2017) Spectro-temporal cues enhance modulation sensitivity in cochlear implant users. Hear Res 351:45-54
Litovsky, Ruth Y; Goupell, Matthew J; Kan, Alan et al. (2017) Use of Research Interfaces for Psychophysical Studies With Cochlear-Implant Users. Trends Hear 21:2331216517736464
Reidy, Patrick F; Kristensen, Kayla; Winn, Matthew B et al. (2017) The Acoustics of Word-Initial Fricatives and Their Effect on Word-Level Intelligibility in Children With Bilateral Cochlear Implants. Ear Hear 38:42-56
Goupell, Matthew J; Kan, Alan; Litovsky, Ruth Y (2016) Spatial attention in bilateral cochlear-implant users. J Acoust Soc Am 140:1652
Ehlers, Erica; Kan, Alan; Winn, Matthew B et al. (2016) Binaural hearing in children using Gaussian enveloped and transposed tones. J Acoust Soc Am 139:1724

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