Early Cochlear Implant Use

This observational study will examine newly activated cochlear implant users and determine whether their abilities to discern simple sounds change and relate to improved speech perception. Take-home computers and test-equipment will be sent home, and subjects will complete approximately 25 test sessions over the first 3 months of cochlea implant use. Then, subjects will be tested 3 more times in the laboratory until 1 year-post activation. The primary objective is to determine and quantify how sounds change and speech perception improves over the course of early cochlear implant use.