Relationship between EABR thresholds and levels used to program the CLARION® speech processor

Abstract

The purpose of this study was 1) to describe the relationship between electrically evoked auditory brain stem response (EABR) thresholds and the behavioral measures needed to program the speech processor of the CLARION® Multi-Strategy(TM) Cochlear Implant, and 2) to determine whether the relationship between EABR threshold and the behavioral levels used to program the Clarion device was correlated with the temporal integration abilities of these subjects. The EABR thresholds, psychophysical thresholds, and the Clarion speech processor programming levels were recorded from 29 postlingually deafened adults. The mean EABR thresholds approximated most comfortable levels (M levels) for the programming stimulus. However, intrasubject variability was substantial. Significant intrasubject variability in temporal integration also was observed. Correlations were found between the ability of a cochlear implant user to perform temporal integration and the relationship between his or her EABR threshold and the threshold for the programming stimulus.