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The Effect of Free-Field Presentation and Processing Strategy on a Measure of Spectro-Temporal Processing by Cochlear-Implant Listeners

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Archer-Boyd, Alan W.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8828-4295
Goehring, Tobias 
Carlyon, Robert P. 

Abstract

The STRIPES (Spectro-Temporal Ripple for Investigating Processor EffectivenesS) test is a psychophysical test of spectro-temporal resolution developed for cochlear-implant (CI) listeners. Previously, the test has been strictly controlled to minimize the introduction of extraneous, nonspectro-temporal cues. Here, the effect of relaxing many of those controls was investigated to ascertain the generalizability of the STRIPES test. Preemphasis compensation was removed from the STRIPES stimuli, the test was presented over a loudspeaker at a level similar to conversational speech and above the automatic gain control threshold of the CI processor, and listeners were tested using the everyday setting of their clinical devices. There was no significant difference in STRIPES thresholds measured across conditions for the 10 CI listeners tested. One listener obtained higher (better) thresholds when listening with their clinical processor. An analysis of longitudinal results showed excellent test–retest reliability of STRIPES over multiple listening sessions with similar conditions. Overall, the results show that the STRIPES test is robust to extraneous cues, and that thresholds are reliable over time. It is sufficiently robust for use with different processing strategies, free-field presentation, and in nonresearch settings.

Description

Keywords

Original Article, cochlear implant, spectro-temporal, free-field, behavioral test

Journal Title

Trends in Hearing

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2331-2165

Volume Title

24

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G101400)