English

Many people enjoy listening to music. But, listening to music with a cochlear implant (CI) sounds so different that it often is a challenge for CI users to appreciate music. The aim of Musi-CI is that every CI user can learn to enjoy music again.

Listening to music with a CI often is a challenge

The CI is designed for speech understanding. The sound of music, with rhythm, pitch and melody, timbre of instruments, and often also text, is complex and therefore difficult to process to the brain by the CI.

From tolerance to enjoyment, what is still possible?

By practicing listening to music step by step, you gradually get used to the new sound of music with the CI. The goal of the Musi-CI training program is more music enjoyment, so that you no longer have to avoid it.

Training with the Melody Game

The Musi-CI training program is supported by the Melody Game. This allows you to practice recognizing differences between pitches and between short melodies. In this way you also strengthen your auditory endurance and discernment.

Musi-CI video Listening with an artificial ear

In this video you can hear what music with CI sounds like. The sound becomes dull and boring, as an example of deteriorating hearing. You also hear music with CI, what sounds weird, but is somehow recognizable. CI users can thus demonstrate what they experience with their CI sounds. This provides more understanding

This video was made possible thanks to financial support from UMC Utrecht.

In this video, created in response to the ZonMw Pearl Award, you will get a first impression of what the training program looks like, although of course we do much more than you can see here in a few minutes. This video was made possible thanks to financial support from UMC Utrecht.

Musi-CI training program

During the Musi-CI training program you will develop a new, active attitude towards music, where you learn to explore and expand the boundaries of your music experience. We incorporate playful exercises, listen extensively and use music as brain fitness. Training attention is also important, so that you become less fatigued from all the listening.

We are convinced that training works. The first experiences with the Musi-CI training program show that CI users enjoy it a lot.

“Since the training I have been experiencing those wow-moments again while listening to music”
“My life went from a 1-3 to an 8!”

How the Musi-CI training program works

A group consists of a maximum of 5 participants. This way we can understand each other well and there is enough time for exchange and learning together.

We work 3 times every week and then 5 times every other week in meetings with 2 hours. We agree on the time in consultation. After each lesson you will receive an email with suggestions, so that you can also work with music at home.

Participants

Every adult CI user is welcome to come to the Musi-CI training program, after the period of rehabilitation and fittings by the audiologist. Even if you have the CI for a long time, you will notice the effect of the training. Musical experience is not necessary, but a sense of musical adventure is.

The Musi-CI training is organized in Utrecht, Nijmegen, Amsterdam, Groningen en Maastricht. See the Dutch pages for specific information or send an email to info@musi-ci.nl.

Programme Guide of the Musi-CI training
Please, click here to find the Programme Guide.