Binaural speech perception patterns in adult listeners with hearing aids and/or cochlear implants: a retrospective observational study

Objectives To explore binaural speech perception patterns in hearing aid (HA) and/or cochlear implant (CI) users through a retrospective observational study. Design Monaural and binaural speech perception scores of 82 bilateral HA, 83 bimodal CI+HA, and 89 bilateral CI users were analyzed. Results The binaural benefit pattern dominated at 55% in the bilateral HA group, while only 1% of the binaural interference pattern was observed. Both CI groups exhibited lower rates of the binaural benefit pattern (bimodal CI+HA: 37%; bilateral CI: 27%) but higher rates of the binaural interference pattern (bimodal CI+HA: 8%; bilateral CI: 12%), compared to the bilateral HA group. Conclusions The presence of binaural interference implies that listening on two devices is not always better than one. Increased understanding of how this binaural disadvantage affects speech perception for hearing-impaired users is clinically essential for future design of training- and device-based rehabilitative strategies to increase the binaural benefits.