Background: The Nucleus® 6 sound processor is now compatible with the Nucleus® 22 (CI22M)-Cochlear's first generation cochlear implant. The Nucleus 6 offers three new signal processing algorithms that purportedly facilitate improved hearing in background noise.
Purpose: These studies were designed to evaluate listening performance and user satisfaction with the Nucleus 6 sound processor.
Research design: The research design was a prospective, single-participant, repeated measures design.
Study sample: A group of 80 participants implanted with various Nucleus internal implant devices (CI22M, CI24M, Freedom® CI24RE, CI422, and CI512) were recruited from a total of six North American sites.
Data collection and analysis: Participants had their external sound processor upgraded to the Nucleus 6 sound processor. Final speech perception testing in noise and subjective questionnaires were completed after four or 12 weeks of take-home use with the Nucleus 6.
Results: Speech perception testing in noise showed significant improvement and participants reported increased satisfaction with the Nucleus 6.
Conclusion: These studies demonstrated the benefit of the new algorithms in the Nucleus 6 over previous generations of sound processors.
American Academy of Audiology.