Music therapy as specific and complementary training for adults after cochlear implantation: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Cochlear implant (CI) users often struggle with music and prosody perception despite good speech comprehension.
• Music training is not a standard part of CI rehabilitation, necessitating new therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot a novel music therapy program for adult CI users.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in improving music perception, self-concept, and daily listening abilities.

Main Methods:

• Twelve unilaterally implanted CI users participated in ten sessions of individualized music therapy.
• Psychological and musical tests were administered before and after therapy.
• Musical tests were conducted in both unilateral (CI only) and bilateral (CI + contralateral ear) conditions.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were noted in subjective sound quality (Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index).
• Global self-concept scores (Multidimensional Self-Concept Scales) and musical subtests (melody, timbre identification) improved in the unilateral condition.
• Preliminary findings indicate enhanced daily listening capacities.

Conclusions:

• Individualized music therapy shows promise as an effective rehabilitation strategy for adult CI users.
• Further research is needed to assess effects on prosody perception and differentiate therapy effects from general learning.