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Implantable Hearing Devices (IHD)

PP806 - Frequency Allocation Table Changes in Cochlear Implant Recipients

Posters
Location: Halls 4EF

    Lead Presenter(s)

  • Bailey Harmon, BS (she/her/hers)

    Student
    University of Colorado-Boulder
    University of Colorado Boulder
    Denver, Colorado

    Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
    Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.

    • Contributor(s)

  • Allison Biever, Au.D.

    Cochlear Implant Audiologist
    Rocky Mountain Ear Center

    I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Abstract:

Frequency mismatch in cochlear implantation can cause difficulty with binaural integration and may limit performance and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency allocation table (FAT) preferences of individuals with cochlear implants (CI). 65 CI recipients were given the option of an alternate FAT in a different program and asked to compare to their default FAT. The majority of participants preferred the alternate FAT from manufacturer default. Changing this to patient preference may deliver an improved sound quality and therefore, assist in binaural integration. Additional research is needed to better understand these changes on binaural integration.


Summary:



Background: Binaural integration may be difficult when a patient undergoes cochlear implantation, as the individuals are receiving direct electrical stimulation rather than acoustic stimulation.  Signal integration may be particularly difficult for cochlear implant recipients who have single sided deafness or asymmetrical loss, as these individuals have a more robust auditory pathway for their non-implanted ear. Frequency mismatch in cochlear implantation may occur for these recipients and can affect the integration of sounds and potentially limit performance.



 





Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency allocation table (FAT) preference of patients who have a cochlear implant.



 





Methods: 65 cochlear implant recipients, both pediatric and adult, were seen during their regular reprogramming appointments and given the option of an alternate FAT in a different program.  The participants were asked to compare two programs: one with the default FAT, and one with an alternate FAT.   



 





Results: The majority of participants preferred the alternate FAT from the manufacturer default. The alternate FAT was only changed on the most apical electrode and these users ranged from long-term and new.  



 





Conclusions:  Changing the FAT to patient preference may deliver a more natural sound quality through the processor, and may in turn, assist in binaural integration. Patients noted an improvement in sound quality with these changes. More research is needed to further understand the effects of frequency allocation changes on binaural integration



 

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to appropriately adjust the frequency allocation table based upon patient preference