Assessment of the subjective benefit of electric acoustic stimulation with the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) significantly decreases the subjective impairment in speech perception.
Objectives: To assess the subjective benefit of EAS over the first 12 months after EAS fitting using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB).
Method: Twenty-three EAS users, implanted with either the PULSAR(CI)(100) FLEX(EAS) provided with the DUET EAS processor or the COMBI40+ Medium provided with the TEMPO+ speech processor, were included. Electric stimulation was activated about 1 month postoperatively; ipsilateral acoustic stimulation was added 2 months thereafter. EAS benefit was measured preoperatively with only a hearing aid and postoperatively at EAS fitting and then 3, 6 and 12 months after EAS fitting using the APHAB.
Results: Subjects reported significant improvements in the global score with a mean decrease in impairment from 74% preoperatively to 45% after 3 months of EAS use. Furthermore, clinical relevance was demonstrated in multiple subscales between preoperative and first fitting reflecting a true benefit of EAS with a probability of 95%.
(Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)