The digits-in-noise test in audiological cochlear implant aftercare

A wide range of methods for speech audiometry to evaluate the outcome after cochlear implant (CI) fitting exist in German-speaking countries. Various procedures are used to determine the speech recognition threshold in noise (SRT). As an adaptive test with a simple lexical structure, the digits-in-noise (DiN) test offers an alternative to list-based speech tests or matrix tests....

If the DIN test is validated for cochlear implant (CI) aftercare in German-speaking populations, it could offer a fast, low-resource alternative to traditional speech audiometry for routine CI follow-up appointments — but wait for full validation data before adopting it in practice.

A validated, quick screening tool for CI aftercare would reduce appointment burden and enable more frequent remote or self-administered outcome monitoring for implant users.

1. 01Evaluates the digits-in-noise (DIN) test as a speech outcome measure specifically for cochlear implant (CI) aftercare.
2. 02Study conducted in German-speaking clinical settings, addressing a language-specific gap.
3. 03DIN test is faster to administer than standard speech audiometry, potentially enabling routine CI monitoring.
4. 04Cochlear implant aftercare requires ongoing speech perception assessment to optimize device programming.
5. 05Findings could inform remote or self-administered hearing monitoring tools for CI users.

PMID

42397601

DOI

10.1007/s00106-026-01784-8.

Journal

HNO

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Cochlear implant recipients in German-speaking clinical settings

Intervention

Digits-in-noise (DIN) test for speech audiometry in cochlear implant aftercare

Comparator

Standard speech audiometry measures