Changes in listening habits and quality of musical sound after cochlear implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate listening habits and quality of musical sound after cochlear implantation.


METHODS
A total of 89 consecutive, adult, postlingually deafened, cochlear implant recipients entered the study. Music questionnaire included questions about musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through cochlear implants. Music perception was evaluated with the Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA). The questionnaire and the PMMA were administered to 67 and 65 patients, respectively.


RESULTS
Listening habits significantly decreased postimplantation. The mean score (0-100) for the adjective pairs "like-dislike," "sounds like music-doesn't sound like music," "natural-mechanical," and "easy to follow-difficult to follow" was 60, 59, 50, and 40, respectively. The adjective pairs were associated with music enjoyment. Mean PMMA scores were 71 and 78 percent for tone and rhythm, respectively, with no association with music enjoyment.


CONCLUSIONS
Music perception through a cochlear implant is a complex phenomenon that depends on audiological and non-audiological factors.
Lassaletta
Luis
L
Department of Otolaryngology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. luikilassa@yahoo.com
Castro
Alejandro
A
Bastarrica
Marta
M
Pérez-Mora
Rosa
R
Herrán
Belén
B
Sanz
Lorena
L
de Sarriá
M Josefa
MJ
Gavilán
Javier
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001307:Auditory Perception; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires