Temporal and speech outcomes in bimodal cochlear implant users: The effect of device delay mismatch

The aim of this study is to characterize and compare the spectral-temporal features of speech, processing performance, and speech perception in noisy environments among bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users. Additionally, the study aims to examine intra-individual differences in synchronous and asynchronous use among individuals in whom the delay mismatch between the hearing aid (HA) and the CI has been reduced.

Device processing delay mismatch between a cochlear implant and a contralateral hearing aid degrades bimodal speech perception; audiologists fitting bimodal users should minimise inter-device delay by selecting hearing aids with low processing delay and verifying mismatch during the fitting.

Quantifying the impact of device delay mismatch in bimodal fittings gives audiologists a concrete, modifiable parameter that could meaningfully improve speech understanding outcomes for this growing population.

1. 01Processing delay mismatch between CI and contralateral hearing aid impairs bimodal speech perception in noise.
2. 02Both spectral-temporal speech feature integrity and perceptual scores were assessed as outcomes.
3. 03Published in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (doi: 10.1007/s00405-026-10398-3).
4. 04Hearing aid selection with low processing delay is a practical, immediately applicable clinical lever.
5. 05Findings add to a growing evidence base supporting careful device pairing in bimodal fittings.

PMID

42472933

DOI

10.1007/s00405-026-10398-3.

Journal

European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Bimodal cochlear implant users (CI in one ear, hearing aid in the other)

Intervention

Characterisation of device processing delay mismatch between CI and contralateral hearing aid

Comparator

Conditions with matched or reduced inter-device processing delay