The effects of an adaptive directional BEAM microphone on the mismatch negativity responses of cochlear implant users in noise

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of noise on mismatch negativity (MMN) responses and the possible benefits of an adaptive directional BEAM microphone in noise during MMN recordings, and to compare the cochlear implant-evoked potential results with normal hearing subjects. Materials and methods: /da/ and /di/ speech stimuli were used to elicit MMN responses in 11 Freedom cochlear implant users and in 11 normal hearing subjects. Speech noise was delivered at 80 dB sound pressure level (-10 dB signal-to-noise ratio). All subjects were tested in quiet and noisy conditions. To compare the microphone effects, MMN responses for the cochlear implant group were recorded with an omnidirectional and adaptive directional BEAM microphone mode in noise. Results: The MMN responses of the cochlear implantees and the normal hearing group were remarkably similar in terms of latency, amplitude, and morphology in both quiet and noisy conditions. MMN peak latencies were significantly prolonged in the noisy conditions compared to the quiet conditions for both groups. There was a significant decrease in MMN latencies when using an adaptive directional microphone in noise. Conclusion: MMN could be a useful tool to evaluate postoperative cortical auditory performance. BEAM technology provides an ease of discrimination similar to quiet settings for cochlear implant recipients in noisy environments (BEAM and Freedom are trademarks of Cochlear Limited).