Audiology Report - 18 months post implants

Here are the highlights from our latest audiology visit in November. 

Results from today's testing indicated speech awareness thresholds (SATs) at 25db HL for the right side and 30 dB HL for the left side. Additionally, speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) were obtained at 20 dB HL for the right ear and at 20-25 dB HL for the left ear.  In the bilateral condition, an SRT was obtained at 20dB HL.  (For the audiologists that read this blog, we're always open to suggestions on how to make this better)

Responses to narrowband noise were obtained today at 30 dB HL and at 35 dBHL with the left processor.  Lily appeared to tire of testing before a more complete audiogram could be obtained.   An audiogram done in May was consistent with these findings. 

The NU-Chips test was administered.  Right CI only - 14/15 - 93%, Left CI only - 100%, Bilateral CIs 14/15 (93%).  The two Lily missed were comb and she touched ham instead of hand.   

Modifications to the Map:  Lily's maps have been stable for quite some time. At this visit, the T and M levels were globally increased approximately 5 cu's on both sides. 

COMMENTS:    Lily continues to make exceptional progress with her cochlear implants.  She is now able to participate in closed-set speech perception tasks. On the NU-CHIPS, which is a task that required Lily to identify words with the same number of syllables, similar vowel and varying consonant, she scored 93%-100%  Lily is ready for a more difficult closed-set task at her next appointment. 

Comments

[Anne]

Hello Lily's Parents,

I'm a speech language pathologist, not an audiologist, but I work with deaf kiddos. Their audiologists like to remind me that very commonly the little guys (under 7, but especially under 3) hear quieter sounds than they respond to. I would argue that Lily DOES hear more than she responds to, because her speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) were lower than her speech awareness thresholds (SATs). It should be impossible to recognize speech at lower levels than you are aware of speech. :)

Awareness means you can barely hear it. Recognition means you can barely understand what it is. The SAT is usually 10-15 dB lower than the SRT, according to this: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/835840-overview (I didn't know actual numbers, so I googled it--the article is by a PhD audiologist, so probably accurate.)

So if her SRTs are 20-25 dB... her SATs might be 10 dB? That's what Dr. Smoski seems to imply. And an SRT is going to be more reliable than an SAT, since it requires the person to repeat the words rather than just show that they heard something. But of course I should give a disclaimer: "I have never met Lily, and I have no idea what any of her audiological parameters are. This is supposition." :)

Whatever the numbers are, her language and listening progress has been so wonderful that I don't think I would change a thing. Congratulations on having a little super star CI user in your very own family. And to top it off, she's just adorable!

Best,
Anne

[Lily's Dad]

Wow! Great feedback. Thanks so much for commenting.

[Lily's Mom]

Thanks Anne. That explanation made my day. I had no idea, but it makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to comment. You must be a great slp.

[Anne]

You are most welcome. Your blog is always an enjoyable read, so I am happy to give back.