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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Music recognition, music listening, and word recognition by deaf children with cochlear implants
Chisato Mitani1, Takayuki Nakata, Sandra E Trehub
1Graduate Course in Humanistic Studies Specialized Research into Humanistic Studies, Department of Psychology, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Objectives:
To examine the ability of congenitally deaf children to recognize music from incidental exposure and the relations among age at implantation, music listening, and word recognition.
Design:
Seventeen child implant users who were 4 to 8 yr of age were tested on their recognition and liking of musical excerpts from their favorite television programs. They were also assessed on open-set recognition of three-syllable words. Their parents completed a questionnaire about the children's musical activities.
Results:
Children identified the musical excerpts at better than chance levels, but only when they heard the original vocal/instrumental versions. Children's initiation of music listening at home was associated with younger ages at implantation and higher word recognition scores.
Conclusions:
Child implant users enjoy music more than adult implant users. Moreover, younger age at implantation increases children's engagement with music, which may enhance their progress in other auditory domains.
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