Familiar songs are usually easiest to follow and understand. Music with a clear, simple beat, distinctive tone quality, and relatively simple form allows listeners to connect their memory of music with the acoustic input.
• Experiment by listening to music with only one or a few instruments, such as duets or trios. Music with a slower tempo helps the listener to "keep up" and match what they are hearing with their memory for music. Some music stores allow listeners to sample soundbytes of CDs or tapes. Listen to different kinds of music in the store to find out which instrument is preferred.
• Start by listening to simple music and then try more complicated pieces. Begin with songs that are repetitive and ingrained in memory, such as nursery rhymes, and move to duets, and then to larger ensembles such as quartets or orchestras.
• Some cochlear implant recipients prefer to start with simple vocal selections, so that they can understand some of the words, even if the notes do not sound quite as they recall.
• Cochlear implant recipients differ with regard to preference for specific instruments, and individual experimentation is necessary to find out what works. However, group data indicate that instruments in the lower-to-mid-frequency range (such as cellos, saxophones, or trumpets) tend to sound more pleasant than those instruments in the higher frequency range (such as a violin).
• Listen in quiet rooms with good acoustics.
• Use direct audio input to connect to the music source with headphones placed over the microphone or with a cable or patch cord.
• Listen to top quality recordings with top quality equipment.
• Don’t turn the volume of the music too loud. Louder volume tends to result in distortion.
• Have the performer’s face in view (on stage, television, video, etc.) so that visual cues can assist understanding.
• Individuals with the ability to read music can follow along with the notes and/or lyrics while listening.
• Practice. People often note that songs start to sound better after repeated practice.
• Trial and error and realistic expectations are important in order to find the most satisfying music for a given individual. Keep in mind that those with normal hearing do not like all music. Consequently, why should persons using assistive hearing devices expect to enjoy all music?
—Kate Gfeller