SPEECH RECOGNITION IN CHILDREN WITH HEARING-AIDS VERSUS RESULTS IN CHILDREN WITH IMPLANTS

Cochlear implant (CI) systems are used by hearing-impaired persons who are unable to distinguish speech sound with help of hearing aids. The technology for manufacturing both systems is progressing very rapidly . In our clinic, we have had experience with cochlear implant systems since 1989. Periodic appraisal of the performance of cochlear implant systems and hearing aids is required in order to provide criteria of c ochlear implant candidacy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the de gree of hearing loss appropriate for cochlear implant candidacy by com paring the speech recognition abilities of persons who used hearing ai ds or the Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant system with spectra spee ch processor. A further purpose was to study the influence of age at i mplantation on the auditory speech perception of CI-children.