Music therapy in the early rehabilitation of adult cochlear implant (CI) users

Background: Adult cochlea implant (CI) users usually regain good speech comprehension after implantation. Music perception often remains unsatisfactory.Objective: A controlled clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of an individualized and standardized music therapy training. Supplementary, a group of CI users formed a music band.Methods: In the trial, unilaterally implanted, post-lingually deafened CI users either attended 10 sessions of music therapy or received the standard care only. The effectiveness was assessed by repeated psychological and musical tests. Results were compared to hearing performance of normal hearing adults (NH).The CI-band had monthly rehearsals for 18 months. The repertoire consisted of special musical arrangements of popular songs.Discussion: Differences in test performance between MT and NH were considerable, though the performance after therapy approximated the level of the NH. Musicianship of the band increased considerably throughout the rehearsal phase.Conclusions: Musi

Art · Audiology · Cochlear implant · Music therapy · Musical · Physical therapy · Visual arts · Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation · Medicine · Psychology · Rehabilitation