Breaking Through: Cochlear Implant Advances - Part Two

Presented by Tina Childress of Advanced Bionics

This is a report on Tina's presentation at ALDAcon 2006 held in October 2006. This is part two of two parts.

Here's more coverage of this great convention.

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Part One

Why is there such a difference in how well people enjoy music?
a. Different physiology - more nerve survival, etc.
b. Auditory memory of what music is like.
c. Musical background
d. Characteristics of music you listen to (full orchestra or just a couple of instruments or a voice)

Understanding various music terms

Rhythm - most people with hearing aids (HAs) or cochlear implants (CIs) do pretty well getting musical rhythm.

Timber - this is the sound quality, the difference in the sound of the same note played by different instruments. Most HA and CI users can tell the difference between 2 instruments. They may not be able to name the instruments, but can tell the difference.

Pitch - This is the frequency of the notes, and is the most difficult for CI users. Some HA users with good low freq hearing still do pretty well with pitch. People with a CI in one ear and a HA in the other seem to do pretty well, also.

Loudness or Intensity - This is the loudness of the music. If it's too loud, it will sound distorted.

Melody - Melody is a combination of all the others characteristics. If you don't do well in one or more of the above, you may have a problem with getting the melody.

What can you control?

Attitude and realistic expectations - It's important to have a good attitude and realistic expectations. If you weren't a music expert before implantation, a CI won't make you one. Also you may want to learn to enjoy new types of music, or enjoy it in a different way from how you did before your CI. It's important to practice. We suggest starting with a single instrument and adding complexity as your music listening improves. Also start with music you know, so your brain will help you hear the music.

Music quality - Use good recordings, don't play it too loud, listen in a quiet room with good acoustics

Choose your input - use the direct audio input (DAI) or the T-coil, or use headphones over the T-Mic. All of these methods will reduce or eliminate background noise.

Simply listen

Establish goals for individual practices - Perhaps you can focus on a male voice or a female voice.

Keep listening

Lyrics may be difficult. You can find them on the Internet and follow along. Again, start with songs you know.

There's a great group called the Association of Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss. You can find them online at http://www.aamhl.org

Nothing beats live music. The visual cues can help a lot, and the excitement of a live performance really contributes to the listening experience.

Use assistive listening devices (ALDs). Plan ahead. Can you get a suitable device at the performance, or should you bring your own?

User Panel

Deb Hollingsworth - CI user using HiRes120
I woke up deaf one morning at age 17. They think it was caused by antibiotics. Hearing aids didn't work for me, so I went 31 years with no hearing at all. When I got my CI, I got 60% discrimination pretty much right away. We were in clinical trials for three and a half years. Two years ago I tried the 120 channel program, and it's amazing! Music has changed tremendously!

Jim Allsip - bilateral HiRes120 user
I lost my hearing in 2 weeks due to autoimmune disorder, and I wore hearing aids for several years. In January 2004 the remaining 15% hearing in one ear started to fade. I got my first CI in July 2004, and my second CI in Jan 2006. I was pretty ambivalent about getting the second implant, because I didn't know how much it could improve my hearing. So I wasn't expecting much, but it made a huge difference; it improved sound quality a lot.

Q. I've had my CI about eight years, but not working well now and I'll be reimplanted next month. I'm wondering if I should get bilaterals, but my doctor is against it. So that makes me a bit nervous.
A. Deb - I had an early implant in 1985, and now I'm trying to get information about the implant I had and see what kind of electrodes it had to see how viable it is for me to have the bilateral.
A. Tina - We don't know your hearing history, so don't know why your doctor is not in favor of bilaterals, but I think you should find out the reason for his objection, and make sure you have open communications.

Q. My concerns are that they are always improving and that it may not work well for me. Do they have implants that do not require destroying the hair cells, because I'm scared of losing the hearing I have.
A. Tina - So your concern is that when you get a CI you'll lose your residual hearing. That is a very personal decision. I know there are a lot of people who hold on to the remaining hearing they have, and that's a very understandable thing to want to do. For some people like Jim and me, we had very little to lose, so it wasn't a big decision.

They are working on electrodes that are less traumatic. Technology is always improving, and it's up to you to decide when you want to take the leap. For me, I wanted to hear my daughter, so I was ready for the CI.

C. Someone asked about being able to tell directions. I was recently driving a car, and the person giving me directions was directly behind me, and I was able to hear and follow directions while driving. I don't think that would have been possible if I didn't have bilateral CIs.