How Can We Compare Cochlear Implant Systems Across Manufacturers? A Scoping Review of Recent Literature
Audiology Research
Tzvi-Minker, E., & Keck, A. (2023).
Audiology Research, 13(5), 753-766.
This scoping review investigates whether the effects of cochlear implants (CIs) vary according to manufacturer. Specifically, this review explores speech and music perception outcomes in adult CI users
No funding received
2015 to March 2022
Peer-reviewed studies excluding reviews, case studies, meta-analyses, and longitudinal studies
42
This review found a lack of studies comparing CI outcomes by manufacturer. Of the 42 included studies, six conducted consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word recognition testing in non-adaptive 60 dB SPL in quiet conditions. The authors found negligible and inconsistent differences over time between the following CI systems: <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">MED-EL weighted speech scores: 42.6% at one month, 48.3% at 3-months, 60.1% at 6-months, and 58.5% at 12-months; and </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Cochlear weighted speech scores: no reported data at one month, 54.1% at 3-months, 59.7% at 6-months, and 62.8% at 12-months. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333;">The authors found no consistent reporting on sentence tests or music performance. They noted that studies failed to account for varying generations or models of CI devices which may also impact findings. Additional limitations of this study included heterogeneity due to differences in data collection and reporting of outcome measures, reporting bias, and the potential exclusion of relevant studies due to review criteria. Future research should investigate CI outcomes within large data cohorts.</span>
