Development of Korean Music Rehabilitation Program for Persons with Hearing Loss

Purpose: The ability of music perception should be improved for the hearing impaired by music training. The music training should be systematically conducted from each musical element to overall music listening based on analytic and synthetic approaches. This study aimed to develop the music rehabilitation program (MRP) to improve the music perception of the hearing-impaired. Methods: Fifteen cochlear implant (CI) users (34.5 ± 11.6 years) participated. The MRP consisted the musical elements such as pitch, melody, rhythm and timbre, and musical emotional training considering Korean culture. The MRP was conducted twice per week through self-directed home training for 2 months. The assessment of music perception (AMP) was tested before and after performing the MRP. Results: The results of AMP subtests were significantly different between pre- and post-MRP with 61.1% and 83.8% for the pitch perception test, 72.8% and 87.8% for the timbre perception test with Korean musical instruments, 48.0% and 59.3% with Western musical instruments, and 55.9% and 71.1% in the harmony perception test. However, there was no significant differences in the melody, rhythm and emotional reaction tests. According to the MRP effectiveness questionnaire, 80% of participants have changed their interests after training for listening to music. Conclusion: Although there were differences among elements of music training, the overall music perception ability was improved after conducting MRP (p < 0.001). In conclusion, providing a systematic music training program such as MRP could expand the range of music experience and improve the ability for music listening and for CI users.