Results of a multicenter clinical study evaluating a new Smart algorithm to measure neural response imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the smart algorithm in speed and reliability of threshold estimation compared with the algorithm available in the standard fitting software and to evaluate the possibility of using programs based on the smart algorithm instead of programs derived from behavioral measures. Patients: Twenty subjects unilaterally implanted with a CII Bionic Ear or HiRes90K device. Interventions: Neural response imaging thresholds (t(NRI)) were measured using both the smart approach within the Research Studies Platform for Objective Measures and the SoundWave fitting software. Measurements were performed intraoperatively, at first fitting, and after 3 months of implant use. Each subject received a standard behavioral program and a SmartNRI program. Speech perception tests were conducted at 3 months, and subjective preferences were documented. Main Outcome Measures: Smart tNRI and SoundWave tNRI at each session; speech test results and subject preferences at the 3-month session. Results: High correlations were found between smart tNRI and SoundWave tNRI. The time required to obtain NRI thresholds with the smart algorithm was a quarter of the time needed with SoundWave. Although most tested subjects preferred their behavioral programs, there were no significant differences in performance between SmartNRI and behavioral programs. Conclusion: Neural response imaging thresholds were obtained more rapidly with the smart algorithm than with SoundWave. Because no differences were observed between SmartNRI and behavioral programs, SmartNRI programs may be a useful alternative to behavioral programs in difficult to fit cases, where user feedback is sometimes difficult to obtain.