Abstract
The aim of this article was to study sound source localization by cochlear implant (CI) listeners with low-frequency (LF) acoustic hearing in both the operated ear and in the contralateral ear. Eight CI listeners had symmetrical LF acoustic hearing and 4 had asymmetrical LF acoustic hearing. The effects of two variables were assessed: (i) the symmetry of the LF thresholds in the two ears and (ii) the presence/absence of bilateral acoustic amplification. Stimuli consisted of low-pass, high-pass, and wideband noise bursts presented in the frontal horizontal plane. Localization accuracy was 23° of error for the symmetrical listeners and 76° of error for the asymmetrical listeners. The presence of a unilateral CI used in conjunction with bilateral LF acoustic hearing does not impair sound source localization accuracy, but amplification for acoustic hearing can be detrimental to sound source localization accuracy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 166-171 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Audiology and Neurotology |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 28 2015 |
Keywords
- Acoustic hearing
- Cochlear implants
- Hearing aids
- Hearing preservation
- Localization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Sensory Systems
- Speech and Hearing