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

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