Rehabilitation of the Auditory Space for Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users : a Feasibility Study

Rehabilitation of the Auditory Space for Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users : a Feasibility Study

A new Neuro-Immersion system based on virtual reality and 3D motion tracking has been developed recently, allowing to evaluate and record the spatial localization performance of cochlear implant (CI) users. This system allows to highlight localization deficits in three-dimensional space for all CI patients. Unfortunately, there is currently no suitable postoperative management for these localization problems. However, the discomfort felt by patients is clearly verbalized. Thanks to the new virtual reality system, it is now possible to develop a rehabilitation protocol adapted to each patient. This project will focus on the evaluation of a spatial auditory rehabilitation, based on unisensory (visual) or multisensory (auditory and visual) feedback, for bilateral CI adults.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 75 years inclusive
• Use of the second CI for at least 1 year
• Regular follow-up in the Ear Nose and Throat department of Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon
• Post-lingual deafness
• Average voice recognition over 80% with 2 Cochlear Implants
• Normal vision (with or without correction)
• Able to understand the experimental instructions
• Affiliated to a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

• Oculomotor disorder
• Bilateral vestibular areflexia