The overall objective of this research is to investigate the validity of the spectral-ripple discrimination test as a measure of spectral shape resolution in cochlear implant (CI) users. The spectral-ripple discrimination test is a time-efficient, nonlinguistic measure that is correlated with speech perception and music perception in CI users. However, there is controversy within the CI field about whether the spectral-ripple discrimination test actually does measure spectral shape resolution, and it has been suggested that information in just one or two CI channels may determine performance. The proposed project of research assesses the validity of these criticisms and of the spectral-ripple discrimination test as a measure of spectral shape resolution through a combination of psychophysical measures and a phenomenological model. The research program is built around the following two specific aims: 1) to evaluate the relationship of channel interactions and spectral-ripple discrimination in CI users, and 2) to model spectral-ripple discrimination in individual CI users. Sensitivity to spectral ripple is determined using the ripple phase reversal test, in which threshold is the ripple density (in ripples per octave) at which the listener can just detect, in a 3-interval oddball paradigm, a switch in the positions of the peaks and troughs of a spectrally modulated noise. Channel interactions are measured under the controlled conditions afforded by a research processor and are quantified by the interaction index, which measures how sensitivity to a probe electrode is affected by polarity inversions of simultaneous pulses on another electrode. Finally, the underlying mechanisms of spectral-ripple discrimination are examined through a phenomenological model that has the following inputs: the pulse trains generated by the patient's electrode array in response to rippled noise stimuli;a matrix of interaction indices measured for that patient;and channel weights. The findings of this project could, if appropriate, support broader clinical acceptance and use of the spectral-ripple discrimination test and, more generally, offer a framework for verifying psychophysical predictors of CI performance.

Public Health Relevance

Despite successes achieved by deaf adults who have received a cochlear implant, such as average speech comprehension in quiet backgrounds of over 80%, outcomes are highly variable. Use of the spectral-ripple discrimination test, which has been shown to predict speech understanding, could help further development of technologies to improve performance. Acceptance of the test is limited, however, because the underlying mechanisms are not known precisely. The proposed project, an in- depth examination of the mechanisms of spectral-ripple discrimination, has significant implications in the area of rehabilitation of deafness and communication disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DC011431-02
Application #
8135986
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDC1-SRB-L (41))
Program Officer
Cyr, Janet
Project Start
2010-08-20
Project End
2012-08-19
Budget Start
2011-08-20
Budget End
2012-08-19
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$51,326
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Won, Jong Ho; Jones, Gary L; Moon, Il Joon et al. (2015) Spectral and temporal analysis of simulated dead regions in cochlear implants. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 16:285-307
Jones, Gary L; Won, Jong Ho; Drennan, Ward R et al. (2013) Relationship between channel interaction and spectral-ripple discrimination in cochlear implant users. J Acoust Soc Am 133:425-33
Won, Jong Ho; Jones, Gary L; Drennan, Ward R et al. (2011) Evidence of across-channel processing for spectral-ripple discrimination in cochlear implant listeners. J Acoust Soc Am 130:2088-97