Low-Frequency Pitch Coding: Relationships with Speech-in-Noise and Music Perception by Pediatric Populations with Typical Hearing and Cochlear Implants

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of low frequency (LF) pitch perception on speech-in-noise and music perception performance by children with cochlear implants (CIC) and typical hearing (THC). The relationships between speech- in-noise and music perception as well as the effects of demographic and audiological factors on present research outcomes were studied as well. Methods: The sample consisted of 22 CIC and 20 THC (7-10 years). Harmonic Intonation (HI) and Disharmonic Intonation (DI) tests were used to assess LF pitch perception. Speech perception in quiet (WRSq) / noise (WRSn+10) were tested with the Italian bisyllabic words for pediatric populations. The Gordon test was used to evaluate music perception (rhythm, melody, harmony, and overall). Results: CIC/THC performance comparisons for LF pitch, speech-in-noise, and all music measures except harmony revealed statistically significant differences with large effect sizes. For the CI group, HI showed statistically significant correlations with melody discrimination. Melody/total Gordon scores were significantly correlated with WRSn+10. For the overall group, HI/DI showed significant correlations with all music perception measures and WRSn+10. Hearing thresholds showed significant effects on HI/DI scores. Hearing thresholds and WRSn+10 scores were significantly correlated; both revealed significant effects on all music perception scores. CI age had significant effects on WRSn+10, harmony, and total Gordon scores (p<0.05).