Comparison of Patient Satisfaction and Audiological Performance Between Neuro 1 and Neuro 2 Speech Processors

Nowadays, cochlear implants (CI) are successfully used to rehabilitate severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Oticon Medical recently developed a new cochlear implant system, including a new implantable internal part (Neuro Zti) and a new speech processor (Neuro 1). This new speech processor automatically detects and adapts to the sound environment, increasing the ease of listening in all situations. A second version of this speech processor has very recently been developed, called the Neuro 2. The Neuro 1 and 2 share the same signal processing characteristics and the "sound" delivered to the patient is similar. However, the Neuro 2 offers better ergonomics (smaller size and weight, rechargeable batteries...). Some improvements available on the Neuro 2 may be particularly interesting for children.

The aim of the present study is twofold: 1. Compare the satisfaction of adult and pediatric users for the speech processor Neuro 1 with their satisfaction for the Neuro 2, and 2. Show that audiological outcomes are at least as good for the Neuro 2 than for the Neuro 1.

The participants come at the hospital for three visits. The Neuro 1 is evaluated during the first visit (V1). Evaluation of the Neuro 2 takes place during the second (V2, 15 days after V1) and the third (V3, 3 months after V2).