Music Appreciation in Prelingually Deafened Patients: A Systematic Review

Saturday, October 11, 2025

10:24 AM - 10:30 AM EDT

Location: 239

Disclosure(s):

V Peyton Pinkus, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Peter DA Eckard, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Music appreciation by patients with cochlear implants (CI) is affected by multiple factors including tone quality degradation, limited frequency perception, pitch, and pitch sequence. Prelingually deafened CI patients have different expectations and experiences with music that impact their music appreciation compared to postlingual hearing loss patients. This systematic review aims to describe the factors important for music appreciation and strategies for improved music appreciation in prelingually deafened CI recipients.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were queried for articles related to music appreciation in prelingually deafened CI users. Inclusion criteria were articles describing music appreciation characteristics and strategies for patients with CIs and prelingual hearing loss. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria was utilized to assess the quality of the studies.

Results: Of the initial 140 citations screened, 52 articles underwent full-text review, and 33 met inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 613 unilateral and bilateral CI users with prelingual hearing loss. Average age at experimentation and implantation were 11.03 years and 6.36 years, consecutively. Prelingually deafened patients reported increased music appreciation at baseline compared to postlingually deafened patients, but performed worse in melody, instrument, and song identification. Rhythmic music elements are especially important for music appreciation in this population. Additionally, implantation at an earlier age and music training after implantation are associated with improved identification and appreciation of musical elements.

Conclusions: Music is experienced and appreciated differently by prelingually deaf CI patients compared to those who have known acoustic listening. Early implantation and music training can significantly help improve identification of complex musical elements and overall music appreciation.

Presenting Author(s)

V Peyton Pinkus, BS

Medical Student
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Lindsey S. Herberger, BA

Medical Student
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Peter DA Eckard, MD

Resident
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Shanta R. Mazumder, Medical Student

Medical Student
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Lindsay Blake, EdD, MLIS

Clinical Services Coordinator
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
JD

John L. Dornhoffer, MD

Professor and Chair
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Robert A. Saadi, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
Little Rock, AR, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.