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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
What Does Music Sound Like for a Cochlear Implant User?
Nicole T Jiam1, Meredith T Caldwell, Charles J Limb
1*Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California †Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland ‡University of California San Francisco §University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California.
Cochlear implants (CIs) often distort music, making it sound out-of-tune and weak. This impacts enjoyment and participation, highlighting a need for CI technology improvements in music perception.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implant (CI) research has prioritized speech over music perception.
- Music's importance for quality of life is significant, yet poorly understood in CI users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the music listening experience for cochlear implant users.
- To synthesize existing research and user-reported data on music perception with CIs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of music perception studies in CI users, focusing on postlingual users.
- Informal survey of CI users to gather subjective experiences of music listening.
Main Results:
- CI users frequently perceive music as distorted, out-of-tune, dissonant, indistinct, and lacking bass.
- Difficulties are reported across various musical genres, timbres, and complexities, especially with lyrics.
Conclusions:
- Current CI technology limits music perception, affecting enjoyment and participation.
- Future CI development should address specific musical elements to improve user experience.
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