Melody recognition and speech discrimination in post-lingual Japanese cochlear implant users

Abstract Background This study examines the relationship between melody recognition, pitch discrimination, and speech perception in post-lingual Japanese cochlear implant (CI) users, addressing whether enhanced pitch processing improves broader auditory outcomes. Methods Ten CI users (aged 37–86 years) completed tests in a soundproof room. Melody recognition was assessed using two familiar Japanese children’s songs ("Tulip" and "Frog") presented via a piano keyboard at two pitch heights (C3: 130 Hz and C4: 261 Hz). Pitch discrimination was evaluated using two tests involving pairs of keyboard tones (C3 to G3 and C4 to G4), where participants judged whether the second tone was the same, higher, or lower than the first. Speech discrimination was measured using Japanese monosyllables, words, and sentences in quiet and noise. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Spearman’s rank correlation to examine relationships between melody recognition, pitch discrimination, and speech perception. Results No significant correlation emerged between melody recognition and pitch discrimination ( p > 0.05). However, participants with superior melody recognition demonstrated significantly better speech discrimination (quiet: p = 0.01; noise: p ≤ 0.003). Pitch discrimination thresholds did not correlate with speech discrimination ( p > 0.10). Conclusions Melody recognition ability is closely tied to speech perception, suggesting a shared reliance on spectral resolution. Thus, improvement in melody recognition for cochlear implant users could reflect enhancements in speech discrimination.