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Description: For cochlear implant (CI) patients, reliable predictors of rehabilitative speech outcome are desirable. In this longitudinal study, we examined the relative contributions of temporal versus spectral auditory processing to successful speech recognition following cochlear implantation. Method. We tested N = 46 newly implanted patients shortly after CI activation (T1), six months (T2) and one year (T3) later. We assessed temporal and spectral modulation sensitivity using an adaptive ripple discrimination paradigm where dynamic ripples were modulated at the speech-relevant temporal rate of ~4 Hz and spectral scale of ~0.5 cyc/oct. At both time points, speech recognition in quiet was evaluated using the Freiburg number and monosyllabic word test. The Oldenburg speech-in-noise test (OLSA) was administered one year after implantation. Conclusions. Particularly temporal modulation sensitivity is here identified as reliable predictor of CI speech outcome, over and above established clinical speech tests. A simple ripple discrimination test could be a useful addition to the clinical rehabilitation routine to prospectively predict speech outcomes in adult CI patients.