Upgrade to Nucleus® 6 in Previous Generation Cochlear™ Sound Processor Recipients

BACKGROUND: 22 (CI22M)-Cochlear's first generation cochlear implant. The Nucleus 6 offers three new signal processing algorithms that purportedly facilitate improved hearing in background noise. PURPOSE: These studies were designed to evaluate listening performance and user satisfaction with the Nucleus 6 sound processor. RESEARCH DESIGN: The research design was a prospective, single-participant, repeated measures design. STUDY SAMPLE: CI24RE, CI422, and CI512) were recruited from a total of six North American sites. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Participants had their external sound processor upgraded to the Nucleus 6 sound processor. Final speech perception testing in noise and subjective questionnaires were completed after four or 12 weeks of take-home use with the Nucleus 6. RESULTS: Speech perception testing in noise showed significant improvement and participants reported increased satisfaction with the Nucleus 6. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrated the benefit of the new algorithms in the Nucleus 6 over previous generations of sound processors.