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The Use of the MED-EL TEMPO+ Ear-Level Speech
Processor in Children
MED-EL World-Wide Headquaters, Innsbruck,
Austria, MED-EL Corporation, Durham, USA
Author details
Ilona Anderson
ilona.anderson@medel.com
+43-512-288889-543
Introduction
Children are being implanted at a younger age due to early hearing identification
programmes. We were interested in the suitability of the MED-EL TEMPO+ behind-the-ear
speech processor for these young and very young children. 
Methods and materials
Questionnaires were sent to 300 TEMPO+ users in Germany and the USA. 185 responses
were received, 65 from parents of paediatric TEMPO+ users. These responses
were analysed for the study.
A custom made questionnaire of 50 questions was designed. Themes included:
biographical information, TEMPO+ switches and controls, handling of the TEMPO+,
general questions on the TEMPO+ and questions about TEMPO+ accessories. Most
questions had multiple-choice options for answers, such as 'never', 'rarely',
'sometimes', 'often' and always. Some questions were open-ended. The questionnaire
was available in German and English.
All patients received the MED-EL TEMPO+ speech processor (fig. 1) and had to
have a minimum of 4 weeks experience with the TEMPO+ speech processor.
Hardware designs make use of the TEMPO+ suitable in children. The speech processor
is modular in that there are a number of battery pack options available (paediatric,
angled and straight). This allows parents to choose the most suitable method
of fixing the TEMPO+ to their child's ear. The paediatric pack maybe clipped
onto the collar for very young children. There are a number of mouldable earhooks
available to suit different size ears.
Results
From the total of 65 responses, 25 were male and 40 female. The age
range was 1 year to 16 years, with a mean of 6 years 3 months. 1/3rd
of responses were from families with children under 4 years. Children
had been using the CI for 2 years 4 months on average, and had worn
the TEMPO+ for an average of 8 months. 89.7% had used the CIS PRO+
body-worn processor previously. 94.2% wore behind-the-ear hearing aid
prior to receiving their CI. None wore body-aids. Average hearing aid
use was 3 ½ years.
Responses to using the switches and controls of the TEMPO+ were very
positive. Fig 2 details how subjects felt about using the volume and
programme switches. The majority found these "very" or "fairly" easy
to use. Note that families with younger subjects (0 to 2 and 2 to 4)
found these "very easy" to adjust. 62.1% found the sensitivity
control "very" or "fairly" easy to adjust. There
were no difference between age groups.
Fig. 2: How easy is it to use the switches and controls of the TEMPO+?
Fig. 3: How comfortable do you feel when using the switches and dials
of the TEMPO+? |
Figure 3 shows positive results to subjects' feeling comfortable with
using the switches and dials of the TEMPO+.
The TEMPO+ is modular in design to promote a wide variety of wearing options.
70% of parents reported having more than one battery pack. Of these, 49% rarely
change the battery pack and 51% feel "very comfortable" when doing
so. 41.2% of parents "rarely" change the their earhook, as most are
provided with the paediatric earhook. Considering the weight and size of the
TEMPO+, battery pack options and different earhooks, the majority of parents
rated the TEMPO+ as "very" or "fairly" comfortable for
their children to wear. (Fig 4)
Fig. 4: How comfortable is the TEMPO+
to wear? |
Finally, parents were asked about their overall satisfaction with
the TEMPO+ (Fig 5) An overwhelming 48% reported being "very satisfied" with
the TEMPO+ and 42.6% stating they were "fairly satisfied".
Fig. 5: How satisfied are you with
the TEMPO+ |
Conclusions
All results suggest that parents are satisfied with their child's TEMPO+. Positive
feedback was recorded for handling,ease of manipulation and comfort. Results
show the suitability of the TEMPO+ ear level speech processor for young and
very young children.
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