Psychophysical measures in patients fitted with Contour (TM) and straight Nucleus electrode arrays

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the psychophysical performance of patients using the Nucleus Contour electrode array with that of patients using the straight banded-electrode array. In particular, we wished to consider how psychophysical parameters would differ for an electrode array positioned closer to the modiolus, and how this might influence both patient benefits and the design of speech processing strategies. Nine subjects participated in the study: four used the Nucleus straight array and five used the Nucleus Contour electrode array. Radiographic analyses found that the Contour array lay closer to the modiolus, was more deeply inserted and spanned a larger fractional lengt..