Search Results (2)

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the association between cochlear implant (CI) users’ assessed perception of musical sound quality and their subjective music perception and music-related quality of life (QoL). The aim was to provide a comprehensive evaluation by integrating a relatively objective Turkish Multiple Stimulus with Hidden Reference and Anchor (TR-MUSHRA) test and a subjective music questionnaire. Methods: Thirty CI users and thirty normal-hearing (NH) adults were assessed. Perception of sound quality was measured using the TR-MUSHRA test. Subjective assessments were conducted with the Music-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (MuRQoL). Results: TR-MUSHRA results showed that while NH participants rated all filtered stimuli as perceptually different from the original, CI users provided similar ratings for stimuli with adjacent high-pass filter settings, indicating less differentiation in perceived sound quality. On the MuRQoL, groups differed on the Frequency subscale but not the Importance subscale. Critically, no significant correlation was found between the TR-MUSHRA scores and the MuRQoL subscale scores in either group. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that TR-MUSHRA is an effective tool for assessing perceived sound quality relatively objectively, but there is no relationship between perceiving sound quality differences and measures of self-reported musical engagement and its importance. Subjective music experience may represent different domains beyond the perception of sound quality. Therefore, successful auditory rehabilitation requires personalized strategies that consider the multifaceted nature of music perception beyond simple perceptual judgments. Full article

Background: The Music-Related Quality of Life (MuRQoL) was launched in 2017 as a valid psychometric measure of Cochlear Implant (CI) users’ music experience and its impact on Quality of Life (QoL). This scoping review aimed to explore the implementation and effectiveness of the instrument since its introduction. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for publications written in English reporting a translation, validation or application of the MuRQoL. Results: Eleven publications were found, including three validated versions and eight studies that applied the MuRQoL in Italy, Turkey, Spain and the US in research and clinical settings for various purposes. The review showcases the reliability, validity and potential clinical utility of the tool underscoring its growing adoption and integration with other assessment tools. Based on the findings, we make recommendations and provide a roadmap for optimizing the use of MuRQoL globally, including naming and terminology conventions. Anecdotal evidence, such as forthcoming or non-English publications offer further insights into the tool’s future potential. Conclusions: The MuRQoL is currently available in four languages and applicable across diverse cultural contexts, populations and settings. It is a versatile, patient-centered tool providing a deep understanding of CI users’ music experiences. As research and validation efforts continue, the instrument has the potential to set a benchmark for assessing the broader impacts of CIs beyond speech perception, emphasizing the significance of music in enriching the lives of individuals with Hearing Loss (HL). Full article