HowWorking Memory Supports Language Comprehension after Cochlear Implantation

Language comprehension in challenging conditions requires the integration of multimodal information. Necessary resources are provided by the working memory. We discuss how adult cochlear implant users benefit from auditory-cognitive training during their rehabilitation process. Working memory capacity highly impacts language comprehension whenever listening effort is increased. Since CI users may have trouble to recover the phonological structure from the speech signal, working memory is required to provide necessary resources to disambiguate multiple interpretation options. However, either due to their hearing biography or due to their advanced age, CI user often show reduced working memory capacities. Previous studies with hearing- impaired adults provide evidence for the potential of combined auditory-cognitive training during the rehabilitation process of CI users.