Factors affecting the performance of users of cochlear implant in speech perception testing

Purpose : to analyze the relation between speech perception tests in cochlear implant users.Methods : questionnaires and speech perception tests were applied in 25 individuals from both genders with sensorioneural hearing loss and users of unilateral cochlear implant.Results : 48% of the participants had a good performance (50%) on speech perception tests. The participants who had the best results are not the ones with higher auditory age. 12 participants had a score higher than 50% and 10 (83%) of those, did the cochlear implant surgery before 5 years old. The use of hearing aid contralateral to the cochlear implant had a significant influence on the participants performances on tests. The participants who started using hearing aids earlier did not have the best results on the tests.Conclusion : the early activation of the cochlear implant is an important variable on the tests performance. The use of hearing aid contralateral to the cochlear implant had a significant influence on the speech recognition tests.