Abstract:ObjectiveTo analyze the differences between the recognition abilities of compound vowels, initial consonants, and lexical tones for cochlear implants (CI) patients, and to compare the effects of unilateral or bilateral implantation as well as the implantation time on monosyllable recognition.MethodsA total of 63 patients with unilateral and bilateral CI were recruited, including 35 males and 28 females with an average age of 23.45±16.30 and implantation duration of 2.81±2.41 years. All the patients were tested with Chinese Mandarin monosyllable recognition materials. Vowels, consonants, tones and overall recognition scores each patient were recorded.ResultsThe recognition scores vowel, consonant, and monosyllable for CI patients were lower than that of lexical tone and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.000 3; P=0.000 3; P=0.030 3). For CI patients with total recognition score of more than 50% in monosyllable recognition test, the recognition score of tone was significantly higher than those of other components (all P<0.005). For those patients with recognition score of less than 50%, results of consonant and vowel were lower than that of tone, but significant difference was only observed between consonant and tone (P=0.0189). There was no significant difference in tone recognition score of patients with unilateral and bilateral CI. The correlation between implantation time and monosyllable recognition was weak.ConclusionThe recognition of lexical tones for CI patients is better than that of monosyllable, initial consonants and compound vowels,the tore recognition score will maintain a relatively high level in a period of time after implantation. Implantation side and time produce a little effect on tone recognition.