Conclusion: In contrast to the Tempo+ the new Opus speech processor stimulates with the new fine structure programming (FSP) speech coding strategy and offers an extended frequency spectrum. A significant improvement in speech perception for sentences at 10 dB SNR (signal to noise ratio) was observable.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects on speech perception in quiet and in noise with the Opus speech processor using FSP.
Subjects and methods: Eight post-lingually deaf patients implanted with Pulsar cochlear implants and fitted with Tempo+ speech processors (both MED-EL) for a minimum of 1 year were tested at baseline with Tempo+ using continuous interleaved sampling (CIS), and at 1 year follow-up with the Opus speech processor using FSP. Monosyllables and sentence tests were performed in quiet, and sentence tests (HSM) in noise with 15, 10 and 5 dB SNR.
Results: Mean speech perception scores showed a trend towards improvement for all tests. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement was only observed for the sentence test in noise at 10 dB SNR.