Alpha EEG Frontal Asymmetries during Audiovisual Perception in Cochlear Implant Users

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the variations of the electro encephalographic (EEG) alpha rhythm in or der to measure the appreciation of bilateral and unilateral young cochlear implant users during the observation of a musical cartoon. The cartoon has been modified for the gen eration of three experimental conditions: one with the original audio, another one with a distorted sound and, finally, a mute version. Methods: The EEG data have been recorded during the observation of the cartoons in the three experimental conditions. The frontal alpha EEG imbalance has been calculated as a measure of motivation and pleasantness to be compared across experimental popula tions and conditions. Results: The EEG frontal imbalance of the alpha rhythm showed significant variations during the perception of the different cartoons. In particular, the pattern of activation of normal-hearing children is very similar to the one elicited by the bilateral implanted patients. On the other hand, results related to the unilateral subjects do not present significant variations of the imbalance index across the three cartoons. Conclusion: The presented results suggest that the unilateral patients could not appreciate the difference in the audio format as well as bilaterally implanted and normal hearing subjects. The frontal alpha EEG im balance is a useful tool to detect the dif ferences in the appreciation of audiovisual stimuli in cochlear implant patients.