Competence-based auditory training for cochlear-implant users in an online tool
Objectives:
In the scope of an interdisciplinary research project, we aimed to develop a prototype of an adaptive, digital training system for cochlea-implant (CI) users for hearing training. We integrated a dynamic difficulty adaption depending on the individual performance of the user using the “Evidence Centered Design” (ECD)-framework. The aim was to construct a highly motivational environment by balancing anxiety and boredom.
Methods:
The ECD provides a conceptual design framework suited for complex assessments of competencies and dynamic performances. In a layer-based procedure model, we initially defined the domain of hearing in context of cochlear-implant-users (domain analysis and modelling). The ECD also includes the competence model, the evidence model with evidence rules and a statistical model, and a task model, which is a framework for describing and constructing measurable situations and tasks. In a feasibility study, the digital application was tested on a sample of CI patients at the Hörzentrum Düsseldorf. Questionnaires on quality of life and quality of hearing, IT literacy and IT user behavior and audiometric data were collected. A descriptive analysis followed.
Results:
First, different levels and sub-levels (e.g. spatial, non-lingual and lingual hearing) were defined. Based on this structure the evidential rules and a statistical model were build up. To calculate the exercise difficulty level we provided specific pools of items rated by different parameters (e.g. sound characters, word frequency and number of words) in combination with the task-type defined in the task-model. Results of the clinical trial showed, that the patients (n=30, 80% female; 20% male) wanted a time-efficient training and a feedback system in an online tool. The results of the questionnaires showed a tendency that a high score in quality of life and quality of hearing is associated with a high Digital literacy.
Conclusion
A training system like this can help to supervise and train CI-patients´ individual needs in an ongoing, interactive process. We see the ECD as an effective way of building a user-based, adaptive system, so this may be a new way of training and assessment in the future CI-rehabilitation.
Funded by: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Germany).

Competence-based hearing training for cochlear-implant users in an online tool

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm, that on behalf of the Cochlear Implant centers of the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen and Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam to invite you to attend the 16th European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation to Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2023.

Yours sincerely, on behalf of the CI Centers at Radboud UMC and Erasmus MC,