Evaluation of the Effect of a Visio-Hearing Training Protocol on Spatial Hearing in Subjects With Hearing Loss

Evaluation of the Effect of a Visio-Hearing Training Protocol on Spatial Hearing in Subjects With Hearing Loss

We recently developed a new Neuro-immersion system based on virtual reality and 3D (dimension) motion tracking. This tool makes it possible to evaluate and record the spatial localization performance of sounds and to highlight localization deficits in the three dimensions of space in deaf patients. Unfortunately, there is currently no suitable support to compensate for these localization deficits. However, the discomfort felt by the patients is clearly verbalized.

Thanks to the new virtual reality system, we are now able to develop a training protocol based on spatial sound localization tasks.

Inclusion Criteria:

For all participants (patients and normal hearing adults):

• Ages 18 and 65
• Normal vision (with or without correction)
• Able to understand experimental instructions
• Member of the social security scheme
• Informed of the study and signed the consent form

For hearing standards (NH):

- No hearing problems

For patients (SU, uIC and bIC):

• Regular follow-up in the ENT (Ear, nose, and throat) department of the Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon or the Purpan Hospital, in Toulouse
• Unilateral deep deafness (only for SU patients)
• Holder of one Cochlear implant for more than one year (only for uIC patients)
• Holder of the second Cochlear implant for more than one year (only for bIC patients)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Oculomotor disorder
• Bilateral vestibular areflexia
• Neurological and/or psychiatric history
• Person placed under legal protection, guardianship or trusteeship
• Pregnant or nursing woman