Universität zu Köln

Abdellatif, Khaled H. A. ORCID: 0009-0002-8267-1846, Hessel, Horst, Wächtler, Moritz ORCID: 0000-0003-0116-6419, Müller, Verena ORCID: 0000-0001-8758-6777, Walger, Martin ORCID: 0000-0002-3035-1624 and Meister, Hartmut ORCID: 0000-0003-1702-2268 (2025). Music Sound Quality Assessment in Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users—Toward Improved Hearing Aid Fitting. Audiology Research, 15 (6). MDPI. ISSN 2039-4349

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 151] Background/Objectives: Cochlear implants (CIs) are a common treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss and provide reasonable speech understanding, at least in quiet situations. However, their limited spectro-temporal resolution restricts sound quality, which is especially crucial for music appraisal. Many CI recipients wear a hearing aid (HA) on the non-implanted ear (bimodal users), which may enhance music perception by adding acoustic fine structure cues. Since it is unclear how the HA should be fitted in conjunction with the CI to achieve optimal benefit, this study aimed to systematically vary HA fitting parameters and assess their impact on music sound quality in bimodal users. Methods: Thirteen bimodal CI recipients participated in a listening experiment using a master hearing aid that allowed controlled manipulation of HA settings. Participants evaluated three music excerpts (pop with vocals, pop without vocals, classical) using the multiple-stimulus with hidden reference and anchor (MUSHRA) test. To assess the reliability of individual judgments, each participant repeated the test, and responses were analyzed with the eGauge method. Results: Most participants provided reliable and consistent sound quality ratings. Compared to a standard DSL v5.0 prescriptive fitting, modifications in compression settings and low-frequency gain significantly influenced perceived music quality. The effect of low-frequency gain adjustments was especially pronounced for pop music with vocals, indicating stimulus-dependent benefits. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that HA fitting for bimodal CI users can be optimized beyond standard prescriptive rules to enhance music sound quality by increasing low-frequency gain, particularly for vocal-rich pieces. Additionally, the testing method shows promise for clinical application, enabling individualized HA adjustments based on patient-specific listening preferences, hence fostering personalized audiology care.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Abdellatif, Khaled H. A. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8267-1846 UNSPECIFIED Hessel, Horst UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wächtler, Moritz UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0116-6419 UNSPECIFIED Müller, Verena UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8758-6777 UNSPECIFIED Walger, Martin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3035-1624 UNSPECIFIED Meister, Hartmut UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1702-2268 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-800749
Identification Number:	10.3390/audiolres15060151
Journal or Publication Title:	Audiology Research
Volume:	15
Number:	6
Number of Pages:	15
Date:	6 November 2025
Publisher:	MDPI
ISSN:	2039-4349
Language:	English
Faculty:	External institution Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Externe Einrichtungen > An-Institute > An-Institute der Medizinischen Fakultät > Jean-Uhrmacher-Institut Faculty of Medicine > Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde > Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language sound quality ; cochlear implant ; hearing aid ; bimodal fitting ; MUSHRA English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80074