High-Frequency Hearing Performance With Reference to Musical Perception in Cochlear Implantees

The aim of this study is to assess high-frequency hearing performance in cochlear implantees and its impact on lyric comprehension in musical perception.

In this study, 18 cochlear implant users were included. High-frequency hearing thresholds were measured with the implant device in on and off conditions. Patients were divided into 2 categories based on their ability to understand melody and lyrics or melody alone. Audiometric assessments included free-field audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, and Categories of Auditory Performance-II.

Hearing thresholds at high frequencies improved significantly with the CI activated ( P <0.001 across all frequencies) compared with the deactivated state. CI users who could understand both melody and lyrics showed better hearing thresholds at 9 kHz ( P =0.007) and higher CAP-II scores ( P =0.013) than CI users who could understand the melody but not the lyrics. A moderate positive correlation was observed between CAP-II scores and speech discrimination (ρ=0.629, P =0.003).

Cochlear implants may extend auditory stimulation to frequencies beyond the typical range. Cochlear implants may extend auditory stimulation to a limited range of frequencies beyond the typical auditory spectrum. Improved high-frequency hearing, particularly at 9 kHz, is associated with better lyric comprehension in CI users, underscoring the importance of high-frequency hearing in musical perception and speech discrimination. Enhancing cochlear implants with components-such as microphones, speech processors, and transmitters-capable of capturing, analyzing, and delivering high-frequency acoustic signals may contribute to improved music perception and speech intelligibility, particularly in noisy environments.