Hello List,
Several weeks ago I posted here a request for references to studies that examined speech comprehension (as opposed to intelligibility) in postlingal adult CI users. Below is a summary of replies.
It appears that there is only one published study that used a speech comprehension test with CI users.
Rana B, Buchholz JM, Morgan C, et al. Bilateral Versus Unilateral Cochlear Implantation in Adult Listeners: Speech-On-Speech Masking and Multitalker Localization. Trends in Hearing.2017;21:2331216517722106. doi:10.1177/2331216517722106.
Several other studies, while not targeting speech comprehension specifically, used tasks that examined aspects of semantic processing that go beyond intelligibility (ie. repeating words one hears).
From Bob McMurray:
“We've done two studies using the visual world paradigm to look at isolated word recognition. In that task, people hear words and match them to pictures on a computer screen (From an array of potential visual competitors). We monitor eye-movements while they do this as a measure of moment-by-moment processing."
These studies are:
Trimble, A., McMurray, B., Cigrand, N. and Tomblin, J.B. (2015). The process of spoken word recognition in the face of signal degradation: Cochlear implant users and normal-hearing listeners. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 40 (1), 308-327.
McMurray B, Farris-Trimble A, Seedorff M, Rigler H. (2016). The Effect of Residual Acoustic Hearing and Adaptation to Uncertainty on Speech Perception in Cochlear Implant Users: Evidence From Eye-Tracking. Ear Hear.37(1):e37-51. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000207."
From Chhayakant Patro :
“In a recent paper, we used the gated word recognition paradigm where the postlingually deafened adults with CI were asked to predict the target words. We also evaluated the influence of semantic context on their abilities to predict the target words. We never asked questions about the target sentences/passage though, so I'm not sure this is relevant. Here is the reference -
Patro, Chhayakanta and Lisa Lucks Mendel. “Gated Word Recognition by Postlingually Deafened Adults With Cochlear Implants: Influence of Semantic Context.” Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 61 1 (2018): 145-158."
Peter Assmann suggested some relevant studies from another area which are not dealing with CIs specifically, but can inform the approach in future studies:
“Research on second language learning might be a good place to search.
For example, here are a couple of papers by Munro and Derwing that include measures of speech comprehensibility (and comparisons with intelligibility).
Munro, M. J., & Derwing, T. M. (1995a). Foreign accent, comprehensibility, and intelligibility in the speech of second language learners. Language Learning, 45, 73-97.
Munro, M. J., & Derwing, T. M. (2001). Modelling perceptions of the comprehensibility and accentedness of L2 speech: The role of speaking rate. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 23, 451-468.”
So it appears that there really is not much that has been done in speech comprehension in CI users at this point. And several list members commented that this is an important area to study in the future as we try to increase CI benefits and understand what works and what doesn't in everyday speech communication.
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