Emotion-Enhanced Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation Programs: A Step Forward for Better Quality of Life

What is it about?

Cochlear implants are small devices surgically implanted in the inner ear to treat deafness and severe hearing loss. However, the sound transmitted by the implant remains degraded compared to natural hearing. Consequently, a rehabilitation process is initiated post-surgery to help patients adjust to their new hearing and make the most of their implants. Conventional rehabilitation programs focus predominantly on improving speech perception. However, in everyday life, understanding social cues (angry or happy tone in the voice) is just as important for communication. Missing these emotional cues can lead to social challenges and lower quality of life. In this article, the authors advocate for integrating emotion perception into rehabilitation programs for cochlear implants recipients.

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Why is it important?

This article is important because adopting the recommendations proposed by the authors can make a big difference for cochlear implant users. It can help them communicate better and feel more connected socially, leading to a better quality of life. Introducing emotion perception training is especially promising for cochlear implantees and individuals struggling with auditory and sensory deficits. Ultimately, such comprehensive rehabilitation programs have the potential to really improve the overall quality of life for a broad spectrum of patients.

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