Peripheral and Central Influences on Auditory Temporal Processing & Speech Perception in Older Cochlear Implantees

This research aims to understand age-related temporal processing in older cochlear-implant (CI) users. The overall objective is to disentangle the peripheral and central contributions to age-related temporal processing deficits in this population. The central hypothesis is that age-related speech perception deficits are explained by unique contributions from peripheral and central auditory functions, significantly affecting outcomes in older CI users. The central hypothesis will be tested by determining (1) the extent to which temporal processing of simple signals from single-electrode stimulation can be explained by aging and the peripheral electrode-to-neural interface; (2) the extent to which speech perception can be explained by aging and the peripheral electrode-to-neural interface; (3) the extent and manner in which central auditory compensation overcomes peripheral processing deficits that contribute to age-related performance declines in CI subjects. Outcome measures collected in this project include behavioral measures of speech and auditory perception and electrophysiological responses. Also collected are questionnaire-based reports of history of CI device use, cognitive screening measures, and imaging-based information regarding electrode placement in the cochlea. Better understanding of the locus of age-related temporal processing deficits in this population will aid in developing age-specific guidance regarding CI candidacy, programming, and rehabilitation, thereby improving expected benefit and quality of life.