Better Hearing with Cochlear Implants Leads to Increased Music Listening Time

This research was presented at the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO as part of the scientific program, October 11-14, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Cochlear implants have revolutionized treatment for severe-to-profound hearing loss, often restoring speech understanding remarkably well. But their ability to support music perception has been limited, particularly in pitch and timbre recognition. Many recipients also report reduced enjoyment of music and decreased time spent listening to music after implantation.

Anil K. Lalwani, MDHowever, a new study conducted by Anil K. Lalwani, MD, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Co-Director, Columbia Cochlear Implant Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and colleagues, examining music habits among cochlear implant users has found that better hearing ability with the implant—as measured by standard speech tests—significantly correlates with increased time spent listening to music. The findings suggest that optimizing cochlear implant programming and speech outcomes may have broader benefits for patients' quality of life beyond communication alone.

“Hearing impairment negatively impacts our ability to understand speech and enjoy music. Though not as good as natural hearing, cochlear implants can help rehabilitate hearing loss when hearing aids are no longer effective.  Our study shows that better speech outcomes can promote patients’ reconnection with music after implantation,” said Dr. Lalwani.

The research, published in the February 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, analyzed data from 72 adult cochlear implant recipients, including bilateral implant users, bimodal users (one implant and one hearing aid), and unilateral implant users. 

More Listening, More Enjoyment

The study found that for every 10 decibels of better hearing (as measured by pure-tone average) with the cochlear implant, participants reported a 1.3-point increase in music listening time on a 10-point scale. Similarly, for every 10% improvement in word recognition scores, there was a corresponding 0.34-point increase in self-reported music listening habits.

Study participants had an average of 7.5 years of cochlear implant experience and rated their current enjoyment of music at 5.9 on a 10-point scale (slightly above neutral). Time spent listening to music averaged 5.1 on the scale, indicating largely stable listening habits compared to before implantation.

The researchers note that the study's findings add to a relatively limited body of literature on music-listening habits among cochlear implant users, as most prior research has focused on music-perception abilities rather than actual listening behaviors.

For more information on cochlear implant health to share with your patients, read our article on ENThealth.org and link to it.

Reference

Alter, I.L., Chern, A., Kuhlmey, M.E., Despotidis, M.A., Kelly, S., Hwa, T., and Lalwani, A.K. (2026). Music Enjoyment and Listening Time in Cochlear Implant Recipients: The Role of Audiometric Performance. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.70064