Speech Perception and Subjective Preference with Fine Structure Coding Strategies

This study aimed to determine differences in speech perception and subjective preference after upgrade from the FSP coding strategy to the FS4 or FS4p coding strategies. Subjects were tested at the point of upgrade (n=10), and again at 1-(n=10), 3-(n=8), 6-(n=8) and 12 months (n=8) after the upgrade to the FS4 or FS4p coding strategy. In between test intervals patients had to use the FS4 or FS4p strategy in everyday life. Primary outcome measures, chosen to best evaluate individual speech understanding, were the Freiburg Monosyllable Test in quiet, the Oldenburg Sentence Test (OLSA) in noise, and the Hochmair-Schulz-Moser (HSM) Sentence Test in noise. To measure subjective sound quality the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index was used. Subjects with the FS4/FS4p strategy performed as well as subjects with the FSP coding strategy in the speech tests. The subjective perception of subjects showed that subjects perceived a ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ auditory benefit with the FS4/FS4p coding strategy. Subjects with the FS4 or FS4p coding strategies perform well in everyday situations. Both coding strategies offer another tool to individualize the fitting of audio processors and grant access to satisfying sound quality and speech perception.