Guides and Tips for your next Adventure
LISTENING TO MUSIC
Like learning any skill, music appreciation takes practice. Some CI recipients say they have improved their appreciation of music simply through dedicated practice in listening to music.
You might try focusing more on the rhythm of music by listening to songs you knew well before you lost your hearing. It seems the brain and its memory of the sound of music prior to hearing loss can help fill in the missing information. You can also use trial and error, making note of specific songs you like better than others. Try a selection by a soloist that features a quiet guitar and drum accompaniment with a clear and simple beat.
At first, such simple orchestration may sound better through your CI than symphonic music without lyrics that uses many instruments playing complex melodies at the same time.
Keep it comfortable
Make sure the sound quality is good (MP3 players, CDs, and adequate volume control – since too much volume will distort the sound).
Choose a comfortable environment (quiet, relaxing, no echo).
Use headphones or a direct connect system.
Choosing your music
Start with a simple piece (solo, not ensemble, repetitious). You might look on the Internet by typing “piano solo” or “guitar solo” into your search engine.
Select something familiar. Music you listened to before you lost hearing can be easier to understand – the brain helps fill in the gaps.
Find music with a strong beat (rock, hip-hop, etc.).
Broaden your musical tastes (classical, pop, country, rock, folk, etc.).
Use visual cues
Engage your sight and use visual cues (watch live music or music DVDs to help identify rhythm and beat).
Find the lyrics. Type the title and “lyrics” into a search engine, or try and find a performance of the song or instrumental piece at www.youtube.com.
THE NEXT LEVEL
Talk with other cochlear implant recipients.
Use trial and error by sampling different styles and practice identifying sounds and instruments.
Learn to play an instrument, join a community chorus or church choir, or take music therapy.
Have fun and don’t give up!
Content excerpted from "Living and Hearing with a Cochlear Implant" by MED-EL.
Using Accessories to Maximize Your Success with Music Listening
A telecoil is a special circuit inside the audio processor designed to pick up electromagnetic signals. These magnetic signals – or induction signals – are wirelessly transmitted to the audio processor by using a telecoil accessory (neckloop or silouette) that is connected to the device you a listening to.
Wireless Digital Systems are great tools for learning to use the telephone because they minimize any background noise, helping you focus more on the sound streaming from you are listening to. Many of them utilize Bluetooth connectivity and are compatible with many devices.
Direct-Connect accessories are available for some hearing devices that stream sound directly to your instruments via cable or mini-receiver. This approach also can minimize any background noise, helping you focus more on the sounds from your audio device.
