SLPOtherEar and hearing2025

Measurement of Spectro-Temporal Processing by Cochlear Implant Users: Effects of Stimulus Level and Validation of an Online Implementation.

Dakota Bysouth-Young, François Guérit, Lidea Shahidi and 1 others

PMID 40474344

WHAT IT FOUND

For Med-El cochlear implant users, the online STRIPES test is reliable and gives results comparable to lab testing.

Volume level did not affect scores. The test did not significantly predict speech-in-noise performance, though the small sample size limits this conclusion.

Key findings

01The online version of the test showed good-to-excellent reliability and agreed with the lab version.

02Changing the presentation volume from 50 to 75 dB SPL did not significantly affect test scores.

03Scores on the spectro-temporal test did not significantly correlate with speech-in-noise thresholds.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs

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What it does not show

Small sample size (10 Med-El users) reduced statistical power, particularly for the correlation with speech-in-noise. A learning effect was observed between the first and second online testing sessions, suggesting practice trials may be needed before recording data. Potential within-channel cues (envelope asymmetries) in the Med-El FS4 strategy could have influenced performance, though this was not fully controlled for. Only postlingually deafened adults were tested, so results may not apply to prelingually deafened individuals or children.

Declared interests

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The study was funded by the Medical Research Council.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume the online STRIPES test predicts speech-in-noise success. While the test is reliable and comparable to lab versions, the correlation with speech-in-noise thresholds was not significant in this small sample, so it should not be used as a proxy for functional hearing in noise.

Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →