Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Intra-individual assessment of speech and music perception in cochlear implant users with contralateral Cochlear™ and
Robert L Harris1, William P R Gibson, Melinda Johnson
1St George's Hospital-Otolaryngology, London, UK. robert.harris@stgeorges.nhs.uk
Conclusion:
Whilst objective testing on music perception showed no individual differences between cochlear implant (CI) devices, subjective music perception was found to be superior with the MED-EL device in the majority of cases evaluated.
Objective:
To compare speech and music perception through two different CI systems in the same individuals.
Methods:
Six post-lingually deaf patients, who had been implanted with a Cochlear™ Nucleus(®) device in one ear and a MED-EL SONATATI(100) on the contralateral side were evaluated. One subject was excluded from group analysis because of significant differences in performance between ears. Subjects completed a questionnaire designed to assess implant users' listening habits. Subjective assessments of each subject were made for comparison of speech and music perception with each system and preferences of system. The subjects consecutively used each system with the contralateral device turned off, and were objectively assessed for specific musical skills. Speech perception in quiet and in noise was tested.
Results:
For all objective tests of music discrimination and speech perception in noise, there were no statistically significant differences between MED-EL and Cochlear CI systems. Subjectively, four subjects thought their MED-EL device was better than their Cochlear device for music appreciation. Four thought that music sounded more natural, less tinny and more reverberant with their MED-EL CI than with their Cochlear CI. One subject rated all these to be equal.
