Does Contralateral Acoustic Hearing Support Spatial Auditory Processing in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users? Preliminary Findings
18th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and other Implantable Technologies (CI2026), Warszawa, Poland, 10 - 13 May 2026, pp.9-309, (Summary Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
- Doi Number: 10.17430/jhs/221957
- City: Warszawa
- Country: Poland
- Page Numbers: pp.9-309
- Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Spatial hearing and directional speech perception depend on the effective use of interaural time differences (ITD) and interaural level differences (ILD). In pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users, access to these spatial auditory cues is often limited due to device-related constraints and reduced binaural integration. Children using bimodal hearing configurations may benefit from contralateral acoustic input, which can provide complementary temporal and level information that supports spatial auditory processing. However, direct behavioral evidence comparing spatial cue use and directional speech perception between bimodal and bilateral pediatric CI users remains limited.
Methods: This ongoing study includes pediatric CI users aged 6–14 years who are classified into two groups: bimodal CI users (cochlear implant plus contralateral acoustic hearing) and bilateral CI users. Spatial auditory cue use is assessed using a custom-designed computer-based spatial cue test that independently evaluates reliance on ITD and ILD cues under congruent and incongruent listening conditions. Directional speech perception is measured using a spatial speech-in-noise task in which target speech and competing noise are presented from different spatial locations. Outcome measures include cue-specific accuracy rates, cue-weighting patterns, and directional speech perception performance.
Results: Preliminary findings suggest that bimodal pediatric CI users demonstrate higher overall accuracy in spatial auditory cue conditions compared to bilateral CI users. Directional speech perception scores are also higher in the bimodal group, especially when speech and noise are spatially separated. These trends indicate a potential advantage of contralateral acoustic input in supporting spatial auditory processing during childhood.
Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that contralateral acoustic input may facilitate the use of spatial auditory cues and improve directional speech perception in pediatric CI users. These findings underscore the potential importance of preserving acoustic hearing and considering bimodal configurations to support spatial hearing development. Ongoing data collection will further clarify the robustness and clinical implications of these effects.