Why is natural hearing so important for CI users

Music has the unique ability to move us, evoke emotions, and create deep connections. It is much more than just sound – it is an experience that engages the body, mind, and soul. For people with cochlear implants, however, music can present a particular challenge. That’s precisely why experiencing sound as naturally as possible is essential for them.

Music as soul food

Music reaches places that words often cannot. It can comfort, motivate, or simply bring joy. Especially for CI users, who often face challenges when it comes to hearing, music offers an additional way to connect with others, evoke memories, and experience moments of relaxation and contentment. These experiences are even more powerful when music is reproduced in its most natural form.

Can music move us? - The science behind it

Music directly affects the brain. It activates the limbic system in the midbrain, where pleasant sounds trigger the release of the happiness hormone endorphin. Music can soothe or energize: fast rhythms stimulate the pituitary gland, while slow melodies have a calming effect.

Our favorite music enhances this effect even more by increasing the release of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin – while lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Music can literally drown out negative emotions or pain, as the limbic system not only regulates emotions but also our perception of pain.

Medicine also takes advantage of these bodily responses: music therapy is used successfully in many areas – from pain relief during surgeries to treating conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or autism. Studies have shown that even with hearing impairments, music can help shift focus away from negative sensations like pain toward positive stimuli like sound.

Our music taste is shaped by culture

Whether we enjoy a particular type of music depends heavily on cultural and personal influences. What sounds relaxing to some might seem unfamiliar or even unpleasant to others. Western ears often find Asian or Arabic music unusual – and vice versa.

But the brain is adaptable: with repeated exposure, our auditory memory begins to accept and even enjoy unfamiliar sounds. This ability makes natural hearing even more valuable, as it opens up new sound worlds that can enrich us.

Early musical imprinting

Our auditory journey begins even before birth. The inner ear develops between the 16th and 23rd week of pregnancy. Unborn babies can hear and react to sounds – and this early experience influences their preferences for certain rhythms and melodies later in life. This early imprinting shows how deeply music is rooted in our biology and identity.

Why natural hearing matters

Natural hearing means experiencing sound in the way it was originally intended. Elements like tone color, dynamics, and spatial perception play a vital role. Music is more than just notes; it lives in the details – the resonance of a cello, the breath of a singer, the echo of a concert hall.

For CI users, this can be especially challenging, since cochlear implants often only partially replicate the complex richness of natural sound. However, modern technologies – especially those developed by Austrian manufacturer MED-EL – are offering more and more solutions.

Long electrodes that cover the full length of the cochlea allow for broader frequency coverage and come significantly closer to natural hearing. This enables users to better perceive the essential low frequencies – which are processed at the apex of the cochlea – that are crucial for an authentic music experience.

Another key lies in personalized medicine. Every cochlea is unique, and customized solutions – from choosing the ideal electrode length, using the OTOPLAN planning software (developed by Swiss company CASCINATION and MED-EL) to precisely measure individual anatomy, to fine-tuning the audio processor – are essential to optimize the hearing experience. This makes it possible for CI users to enjoy music with greater detail and intensity.

Music is a bridge to natural hearing

Music is a universal treasure that strengthens us not only emotionally, but also physically. For CI users, striving for a natural listening experience opens up the possibility to explore soundscapes more deeply and to fully enjoy the health benefits of music.

Whether it’s classical music, pop, heavy metal, or traditional sounds from other cultures:
Music is nourishment for the soul – and a bridge between body, mind, and emotion.