*2.1. Study Design*

At inclusion, the patient was examined, underwent a hearing test, and filled in a questionnaire on past and current musical experiences. The visit ended with a standard fitting session by the audiologist. Two programs (P1 and P2) were downloaded into the processor. During the study, the fitting parameters (frequency allocations, loudness) remained the same for the 2 strategies. CrystalisXDP and standard MPIS strategy were randomly assigned to P1 and P2 program slots in a double-blind manner to the patient and to the investigator who tested the hearing performances and the musical experience. The patient was asked to use P1 for one week. A second visit was then programmed. The patient participated in a musical test and responded to a questionnaire pertaining to experience with P1. Subsequently, P2 was activated. One week later, P2 was evaluated with the same tests. In bilateral and binaural cases, the programs were applied to both ears.
