Developing the musical brain to boost early pre-verbal, communication and listening skills: The implications for musicality development pre- and post-cochlear implantation. It is not just about Nursery Rhymes!

Abstract

Objectives

A growing body of evidence suggests that musical activities can enhance the listening brain and develop higher cognitive functions, including linguistic abilities. The BabyBeats™ early intervention resource, a musical habilitation resource, was designed to improve early parent interaction, early listening behaviour, early communication skills, and social and emotional development, pre- and post-implantation.

Methods

A feasibility study was conducted on families from the UK. There were two groups: seven babies <12 months old, with a varying degree of severe to profound hearing loss and eight infants who had been implanted with a cochlear implant and were now >12 months old. Audit data were collected based on a simple parental and professional feedback questionnaire, completed at the end of an 8-month trial.

Results

Parental feedback was positive and ideas from the resource were carried over into the family's everyday routines. Parents and professionals observed increased vocalisation, attention, and anticipation of the activities in their babies. Parents also reported increased confidence in singing, moving, and playing with their baby.

Conclusion

These preliminary outcomes suggest that this type of intervention may lead to earlier development of communication and listening skills when used in combination with appropriate amplification. The next steps will be to include more infants, match the groups regarding age and developmental stage, to observe the infants for a longer period and to compare outcomes over time.

Keywords:

• Cochlear implants
• Music
• Early intervention
• Music therapy
• Habilitation
• BabyBeats™