MELUDIA – Online music training for cochlear implant users

Abstract

Background Music enjoyment is of importance for many cochlear implant (CI) users, and the interest in music training is high. But many CI users report that it is a challenge to find suitable training resources and that they stall because they don’t know how to practice. Meludia is an online music training program that provides structured and guided music training for musically experienced and inexperienced children and adults. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of the Meludia music training software for CI recipients based on two research questions: (1) are the easiest exercises available easy enough for CI users, and (2) are there any gaps when progressing through levels and stars with increasing difficulty? Methods Thirty-eight adult MED-EL CI users completed fourteen exercises involving 5 different musical dimensions of the online music training program. Results Our results show that the easiest exercises available in Meludia are easy enough for CI users to be able to use this training resource independent of age, indication, duration of CI use or musical background. Conclusion With Meludia we assessed and found a suitable and comprehensive training tool that allows CI recipients to work on individual goals regardless of their present abilities.