Discussion

The present study demonstrated the plastic changes of auditory cortical structures in five subjects within the first month of cochlear implant use. Studying brain maps within the first two days of implant use enabled to investigate the effects of total deafness on the tonotopic organization. Studying brain maps one month later allowed comparison with the first recording session and assessment of the evolution of the cortical organization with electrical stimulation. The evolution of the cortical tonotopic maps is described in parallel with the evolution of the way subjects perceive pitch and speech.