Auditec customers often tell us they need tools to test cochlear implant users. We sell three recordings specifically designed for cochlear implant users as well as many other tests that could be used with cochlear implant patients. The three tools are 1) Lexical Neighborhood Test/Multi-syllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT/MLNT), 2) BKB-SIN, and 3) Minimal Auditory Capabilities (MAC). All three of these include recordings and instructions so that customers can test cochlear implant patients with confidence.

Since children with cochlear implants generally perform poorly on the PBK word list, it is not a recommended recording for cochlear implant patients.  Instead, we recommend the Lexical Neighborhood Test/ Multi-syllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT/MLNT). It was specifically created to assess open-set speech performance in cochlear implant children.

Since cochlear implant users report speech recognition is more difficult in noise, audiologists need a tool to test cochlear implant patients with noise. The BKB-SIN (Speech In Noise) uses sentences in four-talker noise at varying signal-to-noise ratios. This test has also been used to determine cochlear implant candidacy.

If traditional speech materials are too difficult to evaluate hearing ability in an adult cochlear implant patient, we recommend the Minimal Auditory Capabilities (MAC) Battery. It includes gross sound identification, inflection detection, contrast detection, accent discrimination, and word identification with subtests such as question/statement, vowel recognition, spondee recognition, noise/voice, accent, SPIN High-context sentence,  familiar sound recognition, monosyllabic word discrimination, and more.

The LNT/MLNT, BKB-SIN, and MAC Battery are three different tools audiologist can use for cochlear implant patients. However, there are other recording selections in Auditec’s catalog that may be suitable depending for your your needs such as noise recordings, environmental sounds, or auditory training. Auditec gladly provides professionals with the tools they need to help their unique set of patients succeed in life.