Effect of Frequency Response Manipulations on Musical Sound Quality for Cochlear Implant Users

Abstract

Cochlear implant (CI) users commonly report degraded musical sound quality. To improve CI-mediated music perception and enjoyment, we must understand factors that affect sound quality. In the present study, we utilize frequency response manipulation (FRM), a process that adjusts the energies of frequency bands within an audio signal, to determine its impact on CI-user sound quality assessments of musical stimuli. Thirty-three adult CI users completed an online study and listened to FRM-altered clips derived from the top songs in Billboard magazine. Participants assessed sound quality using the MUltiple Stimulus with Hidden Reference and Anchor for CI users (CI-MUSHRA) rating scale. FRM affected sound quality ratings (SQR). Specifically, increasing the gain for low and mid-range frequencies led to higher quality ratings than reducing them. In contrast, manipulating the gain for high frequencies (those above 2 kHz) had no impact. Participants with musical training were more sensitive to FRM than non-musically trained participants and demonstrated preference for gain increases over reductions. These findings suggest that, even among CI users, past musical training provides listeners with subtleties in musical appraisal, even though their hearing is now mediated electrically and bears little resemblance to their musical experience prior to implantation. Increased gain below 2 kHz may lead to higher sound quality than for equivalent reductions, perhaps because it offers greater access to lyrics in songs or because it provides more salient beat sensations.

Application of Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Cochlear Implant Patients: Implications for the Design of Specific Rehabilitation Programs

“…Music experience has been evaluated in different subgroups of CI patients such as preverbal pediatric patients, post-verbal, pre-verbal lately implanted, bilateral users, bimodal users, and unilateral users [10,22,23]. These different populations have reported heterogeneous rehabilitation needs, but clear indications are lacking for clinicians to develop and prescribe music rehabilitation programs for CI users [6,24,25]. Some open questions, at the actual state-of-the-art, need to be addressed: should clinicians try to improve music perception [26,27] or rather focus on eliciting an equivalent emotional response to music [28]?…”

Can Music Enhance Working Memory and Speech in Noise Perception in Cochlear Implant Users? Design Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study

“…Additionally, Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), such as the Music-Related Quality of Life questionnaire [ 14 ], were utilized to evaluate individual music experiences across various real-life situations among different subgroups of CI patients [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. While diverse music rehabilitation needs were identified, clear indications were not discernible to support the development of music rehabilitation programs for CI users [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Furthermore, training effects on music perception and appreciation, and effects on speech understanding in adult CI recipients should be reviewed with caution.…”