Researcher have analyzed the accuracy of predictions for cochlear implant outcomes, with a view to further improve their performance in noisy environments.

University of Sydney School of Biomedical Engineering researcher, Dr Greg Watkins, hears with the assistance of two cochlear implants after experiencing profound deafness in both ears following a 30-year career as an electrical engineer. Despite his profound deafness, with the help of his cochlear implant he has been able to complete a PhD in biomedical engineering.

Dr Watkins’ desire to help others living with deafness, his personal experience and career in engineering, motivated him to research cochlear implants. Now, his new paper has analysed the accuracy of predictions for cochlear implant outcomes with a view to further improving their performance in environments with lots of background noise.

Published in Ear and Hearing the paper presents a new method for the prediction of speech perception for individual recipients, providing a methodology that could make patient trials more efficient, potentially leading to implants that are personalised to an individual’s listening capability.

«My hearing deteriorated over a number of years and even with powerful hearing aids I had great difficulty having a conversation. Cochlear implants have helped to restore my hearing and stay connected socially and professionally,» said Dr Watkins, who received his doctorate earlier this month.

«Cochlear implants often provide near-perfect speech perception in quiet conditions, but hearing can still be improved in noisy environments, like in cafes or near traffic, compared to having no hearing loss.

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