Evaluation of temporal difference limen in preoperative non-invasive ear canal audiometry as a predictive factor for speech perception after cochlear implantation

• Main Authors: Saku T. Sinkkonen, Lars Kronlund, Johannes Hautamäki, Jussi Jero, Antti A. Aarnisalo, Erna Kentala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-02-01
• Series: Audiology Research
• Subjects: cochlear implant outcome; electrical ear canal stimulation; speech perception; temporal difference limen.
• Online Access: https://audiologyresearch.org/index.php/audio/article/view/91
• ISSN: 2039-4330; 2039-4349

The temporal difference limen (TDL) can be measured with noninvasive electrical ear canal stimulation. The objective of the study wa to determine the role of preoperative TDL measurements in predicting patients’ speech perception after cochlear implantation. We carried out a retrospective chart analysis of fifty-four cochlear implant (CI) patients with preoperative TDL and postoperative bisyllabic word recognition measurements in Helsinki University Central Hospital between March 1994 and March 2011. Our results show that there is no correlation between TDL and postoperative speech perception. However, patient’s advancing age correlates with longer TDL but notdirectly with poorer speech perception. The results are in line with previous results concerning the lack of predictive value of preoperativ TDL measurements in CI patients.