Improving emotion perception in cochlear implant users: insights from machine learning analysis of EEG signals

Abstract

Background: Although cochlear implants can restore auditory inputs to deafferented auditory cortices, the quality of the sound signal transmitted to the brain is severely degraded, limiting functional outcomes in terms of speech perception and emotion perception. The latter deficit negatively impacts cochlear implant users’ social integration and quality of life; however, emotion perception is not currently part of rehabilitation. Developing rehabilitation programs incorporating emotional cognition requires a deeper understanding of cochlear implant users’ residual emotion perception abilities. Methods: To identify the neural underpinnings of these residual abilities, we investigated whether machine learning techniques could be used to identify emotion-specific patterns of neural activity in cochlear implant users. Using existing electroencephalography data from 22 cochlear implant users, we employed a random forest classifier to establish if we could model and subsequently predict from participants’ brain responses the auditory emotions (vocal and musical) presented to them. Results: Our findings suggest that consistent emotion-specific biomarkers exist in cochlear implant users, which could be used to develop effective rehabilitation programs incorporating emotion perception training. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of machine learning techniques to improve outcomes for cochlear implant users, particularly in terms of emotion perception.