Binaural pitch fusion in cochlear implant users is broader and narrower with coherent and incoherent envelope modulation, respectively

This study examined whether interaural amplitude modulation (AM) coherence influences binaural pitch fusion in cochlear implant (CI) users. Fourteen adults, including seven bimodal and seven bilateral CI users, completed fusion-range measurements using dichotic stimuli under unmodulated, coherent AM and two incoherent AM conditions involving interaural AM-phase and AM-rate mismatches....

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Findings are preliminary (n=14) and do not yet support specific fitting or programming changes for bimodal or bilateral cochlear implant users; no actionable change at this time.

Understanding how envelope modulation coherence shapes binaural pitch fusion could eventually guide how clinicians program cochlear implants to improve sound integration across ears.

1. 0114 adult CI users (bimodal and bilateral) participated in binaural pitch fusion experiments.
2. 02Coherent (matched) interaural amplitude modulation widened the binaural pitch fusion range.
3. 03Incoherent (mismatched) modulation narrowed the pitch fusion range.
4. 04Findings apply to both bimodal (one CI + one hearing aid) and bilateral (two CI) users.
5. 05Results deepen understanding of how temporal cues affect cross-ear pitch integration in CI populations.

PMID

42776029

DOI

10.1121/10.0046640.

Journal

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Sample size

14

Population

Adults with cochlear implants (bimodal and bilateral CI users)

Intervention

Manipulation of interaural amplitude modulation coherence during binaural pitch fusion tasks

Comparator

Coherent vs. incoherent envelope modulation conditions