The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Music perception through cochlear implants
Language	J
AuthorList	Masae Shiroma
Affiliation	International University of Health and Welfare, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 28 (2), 92-103, 2012
Received
Accepted
Abstract	Literatures on music perception through cochlear implants (CI) were reviewed. Despite of the good performance of speech perception, music perception has remained challenging especially on perceiving pitch, timber, harmony, and melody. Various literatures have carried experiments to determine the contribution factors to music perception of cochlear recipients. It could be concluded that none of the following factors such as CI devices, coding strategies, modification of frequency bands, speech perception performance, age at implantation, length of experiences showed specific correlation. However, musical experience, systematic musical training, and bimodal or bilateral use of the ears would be considered as contributing factors to music perception. As for CI children, the similar trends were observed as adult CIs; good in rhythm but poor both in melody perception and singing alike. Longitudinal studies are required to examine how well they could perform on musical activities as the brain plasticity could positively affect to them. At this point however, it seem to be practical to realize the limitation of spectral information carried by CIs, and expands the activities using the temporal information cues such as dancing with rhythm, playing percussion instruments, and listening or singing familiar melodies with lyrics. Providing music environments as well as music experiences are also important for CI users.
Keywords	cochlear implantation, music perception, literature review, contributing factors