PREVIOUS STUDIES ON VIBRATO PITCH HAVE attempted to determine the "principal pitch" of vibrato tones and not the range of tuning for such tones in a melodic context. This study investigates the range of acceptable tuning (RAT) for tones with and without vibrato, using repeating ascending and descending three-tone arpeggios. The second tone in each sequence was modulated or unmodulated with an initial pitch that was flat or sharp. With each repetition the pitch of the second tone increased or decreased by 3 cents depending upon the initial pitch condition. Participants indicated when they perceived the second tone to be in tune and out of tune. The RAT for vibrato tones was approximately 10 cents greater than for unmodulated tones. This is largely due to the lower RAT limit, indicating that the carrier frequency of vibrato tones can be 10 cents flatter than the fundamental frequency of an unmodulated tone.

These findings suggest that an improvement in music experiences of CI users may lead to improvements in QoL and therefore support the need for music rehabilitation. However, the relative importance of music overall and of specific aspects of music for each individual should be measured for an accurate assessment of the impact of music on the QoL of CI users.

Purpose: A music-related quality of life (MuRQoL) questionnaire was developed for the evaluation of music rehabilitation for adult cochlear implant (CI) users. The present studieswere aimed at refinement and validation. Method: Twenty-four experts reviewed the MuRQoL items for face validity. A refined version was completed by 147 adult CI users and psychometric techniques were used for item selection, assessment of reliability and definition of the factor structure. The same participants completed the Short Form Health Survey for construct validation. MuRQoL responses from 68 CI users were compared with those of a matched group of normal-hearing (NH) adults. Results: Eighteen items measuring music perception & engagement and 18 items measuring their importance were selected; they grouped together into two domains. The final questionnaire has high internal consistency and repeatability. Significant differences between CI users and NH adults and a correlation between music engagement and quality of life (QoL) support construct validity. Scores of music perception & engagement and importance for the 18 items can be combined to assess the impact of music on the QoL. Conclusion: The MuRQoL questionnaire is a reliable and Dritsakis, The MuRQoL questionnaire 2 valid measure of self-reported music perception, engagement and their importance for adult CI users with potential to guide music aural rehabilitation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a prototype interactive music awareness program (IMAP) for adult cochlear implant (CI) users. An unblinded, randomized crossover design was used. Twenty-one CI users were recruited and allocated to two groups. Group 1 received the IMAP first, followed by a retention of learning phase. Group 2 were given the IMAP after 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to undertake two half-hour sessions per week at home over 12 weeks. Both groups attended appointments at the start, halfway through, and at the end of the trial. At each appointment participants completed tests of speech perception, melodic contour identification, and instrument recognition, rated the sound quality of music, and indicated their music listening habits. Sixteen participants completed the study. Following training both groups showed improved instrument recognition abilities and feedback suggests further positive impact on participants’ lives. The findings suggest that the IMAP is beneficial for music perception and in particular, improved instrument recognition.

The workshops proved to be an effective means of simultaneously encouraging music exploration in a social and safe environment and obtaining feedback on prototype rehabilitation materials. Survey data suggested that through group listening and practical activities, certain aspects of music can be accessible and rewarding through a CI, leading to positive changes in attitude and behavior toward music.