Longitudinal music perception performance of postlingual deaf adults with cochlear implants using acoustic and/or electrical stimulation

Abstract

In this study, we investigated longitudinal music perception of adult cochlear implant (CI) users and how acoustic stimulation with CI affects their music performance. A total of 163 participants' data were analyzed retrospectively. 96 participants were using acoustic stimulation with CI and 67 participants were using electrical stimulation only via CI. The music performance (melody identification, appreciation, and satisfaction) data were collected pre-implantation, 1-year, and 2-year post-im-plantation. Mixed repeated measures of ANOVA and pairwise analysis adjusted by Tukey were used for the statistics. As result, in both groups, there were significant improvements in melody identification, music appreciation, and music satisfaction at 1-year, and 2-year post-implantation than a pre-implantation, but there was no significant difference between 1 and 2 years in any of the variables. Also, the group of acoustic stimulation with CI showed better perception skill of melody identification than the CI-only group. However, no differences found in music appreciation and satisfaction between the two groups, and possible explanations were discussed. In conclusion, acoustic and/or electrical hearing devices benefit the recipients in music performance over time. Although acoustic stimulation accompanied with electrical stimulation could benefit the recipients in terms of listening skills, those benefits may not extend to the subjective acceptance of music. These results suggest the need for improved sound processing mechanisms and music rehabilitation. of interest: Effect of auditory feedback on speech pro-duction and language development, oral