Helping the Deaf Hear Music
By Chorost, Michael; Technology Review,Publication Date: February 26, 2008
Review of a computerized test measuring music perception in cochlear-implant users. Developed by researchers at the University of Iowa and the University of Washington, the Clinical Assessment of Music Perception (CAMP) strips music down to 3 basic components -- pitch, timbre, and melody – and systematically assesses how well users perceive each. (1) Pitch perception is measured by having the user distinguish two tones played a short interval apart. When the user is correct, tones that are closer together are played. Incorrect answers result in tones that are farther apart. (2) Timbre perception is measured by playing the same note on 8 different instruments and asking the user to define the instrument. (3) The melody perception test uses familiar tones (e.g. Three Blind Mice) with the rhythm and lyrics taken out. The test is simple and easy to use, and lets researchers measure the performance of new algorithms objectively. The test also lets users measure progress over time.
Published by: Technology Review, Inc. (Website:http://www.technologyreview.com)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Web Site: http://www.mit.edu )
Link to text: http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20334/
