[Phoneme discrimination training with experienced cochlear implant listeners].

BACKGROUND

Computer-based auditory training programmes seem to be a useful tool in the process of auditory rehabilitation after cochlear implantation (CI). Currently, little is known about the learning mechanism and efficiency of such programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate a specific auditory training programme for phoneme discrimination in experienced CI listeners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 15 CI adult listeners with more than 2 years' CI experience participated in the auditory training. Over a period of 3 weeks they were instructed to train their phoneme discrimination via computer twice a week. Training material consisted of special syllables for consonants (vCv) and vowels (cVc) discrimination.

RESULTS

The discrimination abilities for consonants and vowels improved significantly over the training period for training group participants, whereas the changes for the consonants were higher. In addition, the improvement for voiced and unvoiced consonants was significant.

CONCLUSION

Computerised auditory training with phonemes improves CI listeners' discrimination abilities for consonants and vowels.