Graeme Clark Collection

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    Speech perception in children using the advanced Speak speech-processing strategy
    Cowan, R. S. C. ; Brown, C. ; Whitford, L. A. ; Galvin, K. L. ; Sarant, J. Z. ; Barker, E. J. ; Shaw, S. ; King, A. ; Skok, M. ; Seligman, P. M. ; Dowell, R. C. ; Everingham, C. ; Gibson, W. P. R. ; Clark, Graeme M. ( 1995)
    The Speak speech-processing strategy, developed by the University of Melbourne and commercialized by Cochlear Pty Limited for use in the new Spectra 22 speech processor, has been shown to provide improved speech perception for adults in both quiet and noisy situations. The present study evaluated the ability of children experienced in the use of the Multipeak (Mpeak) speech-processing strategy (implemented in the Nucleus Minisystem-22 cochlear implant) to adapt to and benefit from the advanced Speak speech-processing strategy (implemented in the Nucleus Spectra 22 speech processor). Twelve children were assessed using Mpeak and Speak over a period of 8 months. All of the children had over 1 year's previous experience with Mpeak, and all were able to score significantly on open-set word and sentence tests using the cochlear implant alone. Children were assessed with both live-voice and recorded speech materials, including Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant monosyllabic words and Speech Intelligibility Test sentences. Assessments were made in both quiet and in noise. Assessments were made at 3-week intervals to investigate the ability of the children to adapt to the new speech-processing strategy. For most of the children, a significant advantage was evident when using the Speak strategy as compared with Mpeak. For 4 of the children, there was no decrement in speech perception scores immediately following fitting with Speak. Eight of the children showed a small (10% to 20%) decrement in speech perception scores for between 3 and 6 weeks following the changeover to Speak. After 24 weeks' experience with Speak, 11 of the children had shown a steady increase in speech perception scores, with final Speak scores higher than for Mpeak. Only 1 child showed a significant decrement in speech perception with Speak, which did not recover to original Mpeak levels.
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    Speech perception benefits for children using the Speak speech processing strategy in quiet and noise [Abstract]
    Whitford, L.A. ; Dowell, R.C. ; Brown, C. ; Gibson, W.P.R. ; Clark, Graeme M. ; Cowan, R. S. C. ; Galvin, K. L. ; Barker, E. J. ; Sarant, J. Z. ; Shaw, S. ; Everingham, C. ( 1995)
    The Speak speech processing strategy, based on the Spectral Maxima Speech Processor (SMSP) developed at the University of Melbourne, has now been implemented in the Spectra 22 speech processor developed by Cochlear Pty Limited, and clinical trials of both patients changing from the previous Multipeak strategy to Speak and patients starting up with. Speak have been conducted. Results in adult patients changing to Speak have shown significant improvements in speech perception in quiet and particularly in background noise as compared with Multipeak. Preliminary studies with children changing from Multipeak to Speak strategy, measured over a 10 month period, have also shown significant benefits from use of the Speak scheme in both quiet and noisy test situations. Results of follow up studies of these children after more than one year experience with the Speak processing strategy are presented. Statistical analysis of performance over time suggests that an increase in benefit is observed in children after additional experience with the Speak processing strategy. In addition, results for children who have used only the Speak processing strategy from the time of implantation are also presented. The results confirm that the Speak processing strategy provides significant benefits in quiet, and particularly in the presence of background noise for both groups of patients.