Acoustic Analysis of Speech of Cochlear Implantees and Its Implications

ObjectivesCochlear implantees have improved speech production skills compared with those using hearing aids, as reflected in their acoustic measures. When compared to normal hearing controls, implanted children had fronted vowel space and their /s/ and /∫/ noise frequencies overlapped. Acoustic analysis of speech provides an objective index of perceived differences in speech production which can be precursory in planning therapy. The objective of this study was to compare acoustic characteristics of speech in cochlear implantees with those of normal hearing age matched peers to understand implications.MethodsGroup 1 consisted of 15 children with prelingual bilateral severe-profound hearing loss (age, 5-11 years; implanted between 4-10 years). Prior to an implant behind the ear, hearing aids were used; prior & post implantation subjects received at least 1 year of aural intervention. Group 2 consisted of 15 normal hearing age matched peers. Sustained productions of vowels and words with selected consonants were recorded. Using Praat software for acoustic analysis, digitized speech tokens were measured for F1, F2, and F3 of vowels; centre frequency (Hz) and energy concentration (dB) in burst; voice onset time (VOT in ms) for stops; centre frequency (Hz) of noise in /s/; rise time (ms) for affricates. A t-test was used to find significant differences between groups.ResultsSignificant differences were found in VOT for /b/, F1 and F2 of /e/, and F3 of /u/. No significant differences were found for centre frequency of burst, energy concentration for stops, centre frequency of noise in /s/, or rise time for affricates. These findings suggest that auditory feedback provided by cochlear implants enable subjects to monitor production of speech sounds.ConclusionAcoustic analysis of speech is an essential method for discerning characteristics which have or have not been improved by cochlear implantation and thus for planning intervention

Cochlear Implant Programming: A Global Survey on the State of the Art

The programming of CIs is essential for good performance. However, no Good Clinical Practice guidelines exist. This paper reports on the results of an inventory of the current practice worldwide. A questionnaire was distributed to 47 CI centers. They follow 47600 recipients in 17 countries and 5 continents. The results were discussed during a debate. Sixty-two percent of the results were verified through individual interviews during the following months. Most centers (72%) participated in a cross-sectional study logging 5 consecutive fitting sessions in 5 different recipients. Data indicate that general practice starts with a single switch-on session, followed by three monthly sessions, three quarterly sessions, and then annual sessions, all containing one hour of programming and testing. The main focus lies on setting maximum and, to a lesser extent, minimum current levels per electrode. These levels are often determined on a few electrodes and then extrapolated. They are mainly based on subjective loudness perception by the CI user and, to a lesser extent, on pure tone and speech audiometry. Objective measures play a small role as indication of the global MAP profile. Other MAP parameters are rarely modified. Measurable targets are only defined for pure tone audiometry. Huge variation exists between centers on all aspects of the fitting practice

Cochlear Implant Programming: A Global Survey on the State of the Art

The programming of CIs is essential for good performance. However, no Good Clinical Practice guidelines exist. This paper reports on the results of an inventory of the current practice worldwide. A questionnaire was distributed to 47 CI centers. They follow 47600 recipients in 17 countries and 5 continents. The results were discussed during a debate. Sixty-two percent of the results were verified through individual interviews during the following months. Most centers (72%) participated in a cross-sectional study logging 5 consecutive fitting sessions in 5 different recipients. Data indicate that general practice starts with a single switch-on session, followed by three monthly sessions, three quarterly sessions, and then annual sessions, all containing one hour of programming and testing. The main focus lies on setting maximum and, to a lesser extent, minimum current levels per electrode. These levels are often determined on a few electrodes and then extrapolated. They are mainly based on subjective loudness perception by the CI user and, to a lesser extent, on pure tone and speech audiometry. Objective measures play a small role as indication of the global MAP profile. Other MAP parameters are rarely modified. Measurable targets are only defined for pure tone audiometry. Huge variation exists between centers on all aspects of the fitting practice

Cochlear implant programming: a global survey on the state of the art

The programming of CIs is essential for good performance. However, no Good Clinical Practice guidelines exist. This paper reports on the results of an inventory of the current practice worldwide. A questionnaire was distributed to 47 CI centers. They follow 47600 recipients in 17 countries and 5 continents. The results were discussed during a debate. Sixty-two percent of the results were verified through individual interviews during the following months. Most centers (72%) participated in a cross-sectional study logging 5 consecutive fitting sessions in 5 different recipients. Data indicate that general practice starts with a single switch-on session, followed by three monthly sessions, three quarterly sessions, and then annual sessions, all containing one hour of programming and testing. The main focus lies on setting maximum and, to a lesser extent, minimum current levels per electrode. These levels are often determined on a few electrodes and then extrapolated. They are mainly based on subjective loudness perception by the CI user and, to a lesser extent, on pure tone and speech audiometry. Objective measures play a small role as indication of the global MAP profile. Other MAP parameters are rarely modified. Measurable targets are only defined for pure tone audiometry. Huge variation exists between centers on all aspects of the fitting practice

Analysis of Physico-chemical parameters of salt pans at Newport and Nari situated around Bhavnagar Coast

The present study was carried out to evaluate physico-chemical parameters of two selected sites of salt pans ecosystem located at Bhavnagar coast, Gujarat for a period of one year December-2005 to August 2006. The analytical data obtained from samples become more informative if supplemented with information concerning the sampling site. Hence, the present work is aimed at the assessment of various physical and chemical parameters of water and sediment samples of salterns at Newport and Nari along Bhavnagar coast, Gujarat. The physico-chemical characteristics include temperature, pH, turbidity, salinity, alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulphate and phosphate. The results of various physico – chemical characteristics indicate that with most of the parameters examined the contents recorded were higher in water samples as compared to sediments and also the values were higher at Newport than at Nari. Notable observation was with total hardness and sulphate, where the contents were higher in sediments and the alkalinity, calcium and magnesium contents were higher at Nari than at Newport. The data were subjected by Karl-Pearson correlation coefficient to examine the corelationship in between and among various physical and chemical parameters using SPSS. 15.0

TEFLON VS TITANIUM PROSTHESES IN STAPES SURGERY

BACKGROUND: Otosclerosis is one of the most leading causes of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane in adults. Stapes prostheses have seen many changes in its shape, design and material. Both Teflon and Titanium prostheses used in this study having different method of application are reviewed in detail.OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of use of Teflon and Titanium prostheses instapedotomy surgery in patients with conductive hearing loss.STUDY DESIGN: Prospective studySETTING: Tertiary referral centreMETHODS: A prospective study of 50 patients of otosclerosis, who underwent stapedotomy at B.J.Medical College, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, with Teflon/Titanium prostheses, from June 2009-February 2012 was done. Follow up was done for a minimum period of 6 months.Revision cases were excluded. A comparison of prostheses was concluded by differences in AB (Air Bone) Gap.RESULT: Postoperative ABG of 20db or less was seen in 96% in both groups. The mean postoperative ABGap was 8.2 dB and 11.5 dB for Teflon and Titanium group respectively.There was no statistically significance difference noted in ABGap between Teflon and Titanium pistons at 95% confidence limit at P<0.05. There was significant improvement of AC thresholds at each frequency except for above 4 kHz, in postoperative period.CONCLUSION: Both prostheses provide equal benefit to patients and there is no statistically significant difference between the uses of Teflon/Titanium prostheses. Long term results are still to be analyzed.