Artikel
Suitability of Auditory Speech Sound Evaluation (A§E-Test) in cochlear implant patients
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Veröffentlicht: | 6. Juli 2010 |
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Introduction: The A§E® is an audiological evaluation tool based on speech sounds as stimuli and was developed by The Eargroup Antwerp. It consists of three levels: detection, discrimination and identification of phonemes and is a sufficient tool to measure supraliminal auditory capacities in Flemic language for children 10 months and older and adults. Aim of the study was to test the suitability for cochlear implant patients in Germany.
Methods: 245 consecutive measurements (141 adults, 79 children, 25 controls) in a standard test protocol for phoneme detection and discrimination, Mainzer and Göttinger in children and Freiburger in adults pre-, 3 and 6 months and one year after implantation. Evaluation of results in detection and discrimination regarding frequency spectrum and fitting parameters; statistical methods: t-test, correlation analysis.
Results: Detection improves first followed by numbers, phoneme discrimination and monosyllables. Test results compared pre- to 3, 6 months and later postoperatively differ significantly (p<0,05). A “ceiling-effect” is obtained between 6 months and one year (reproduction in A§E® >90%). Development of detection and discrimination correlates directly with results in numbers and monosyllables (r= 0,92). Non-German speaking patients cope better with A§E®. Evaluation of phoneme discrimination enables to frequency specific fitting.
Conclusion: A§E® is a valuable diagnostic supplement in fitting and therapy of cochlear implant patients independent from cognitive level, age and language. Important information on frequency resolving power of cochlear nerve after implantation is gained. Use of A§E® enables comparability and evaluation of study results in different countries.