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Music recognition, music listening, and word recognition by deaf children with cochlear implants.

Mitani C, Nakata T, Trehub SE, Kanda Y, Kumagami H, Takasaki K, Miyamoto I, Takahashi H

Graduate Course in Humanistic Studies Specialized Research into Humanistic Studies, Department of Psychology, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Nagasaki, Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the ability of congenitally deaf children to recognize music from incidental exposure and the relations among age at implantation, music listening, and word recognition. DESIGN: Seventeen child implant users who were 4 to 8 yr of age were tested on their recognition and liking of musical excerpts from their favorite television programs. They were also assessed on open-set recognition of three-syllable words. Their parents completed a questionnaire about the children's musical activities. RESULTS: Children identified the musical excerpts at better than chance levels, but only when they heard the original vocal/instrumental versions. Children's initiation of music listening at home was associated with younger ages at implantation and higher word recognition scores. CONCLUSIONS: Child implant users enjoy music more than adult implant users. Moreover, younger age at implantation increases children's engagement with music, which may enhance their progress in other auditory domains.

Published 14 May 2007 in Ear Hear, 28(2): 29S-33S.
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