Hearing in noise in normal hearing and cochlear implanted young children

Abstract

The aim of this study is to report on the way speech in noise is currently evaluated in cochlear implanted children aged 3 to 6 at the Paris Necker hospital, on their performance and on that of aged-matched normal hearing (NH) children. To this end, we submitted 30 NH children to a speech audiometry test with words at different signal to noise ratio (SNR). We also collected 49 implanted children speech recognition scores in noise (SNR +6 dB) obtained during speech therapy assessments. We finally designed a questionnaire and administered it to all children’s parents. Results show that all NH children achieved a score of 100% up to SNR 0 dB. Under the three least favourable SNR conditions (-2, -4, -6 dB), performance is related to age. Implanted children do not perform as well as NH children. Their speech recognition scores in silence and noise are interlinked. Cochlear implanted children’s assessment protocol may be adjusted considering the NH children’s findings. Speech audiometric testing should be carried out at SNR 0 dB, starting at age 3.