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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Brain responses to musical feature changes in adolescent cochlear implant users
Bjørn Petersen1, Ethan Weed2, Pascale Sandmann3
1Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark ; Royal Academy of Music , Aarhus , Denmark.
Adolescent cochlear implant (CI) users show brain responses to music, but have deficits in pitch discrimination compared to normal-hearing peers. A short music training program did not improve music processing in these CI users.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Music Perception
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) primarily aid speech perception, but music perception is also possible.
- Previous research identified neural correlates of music skills in post-CI adults and children.
- Limited understanding exists regarding music perception in prelingually deaf adolescents using CIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate behavioral and neural correlates of music perception in prelingually deaf adolescents with CIs.
- Assess music processing abilities before and after a music training intervention.
- Compare music processing in adolescent CI users with normal-hearing (NH) individuals.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded mismatch negativity (MMN) to musical feature changes.
- Auditory event-related potentials were measured in adolescent CI users and NH controls.
- Behavioral testing assessed music discrimination abilities.
Main Results:
- Adolescent CI users demonstrated significant MMNs for timbre, intensity, and rhythm deviations.
- Pitch discrimination was impaired in CI users, confirmed by behavioral measures.
- MMN amplitudes were smaller in CI users, indicating poorer music discrimination than NH controls.
Conclusions:
- Prelingually deaf adolescent CI users possess neural predispositions for processing certain musical features.
- Deficits in pitch discrimination were evident in adolescent CI users.
- A brief music training intervention showed no significant effect, suggesting longer programs may be needed.
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