Choosing the right hearing device for kids with moderate-to-severe hearing loss
Official title: Investigating Device Candidacy in Children with Moderate-to-Severe Hearing Loss
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-11441124 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores which hearing device—hearing aids or cochlear implants—works best for children aged 0-11 with moderate-to-severe hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $213,915 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC023259-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441124 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children aged 0-11 with moderate-to-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who are current HA users or transitioning to cochlear implants.
✕Less likely to help
Children not meeting the age range or hearing loss criteria, or those not using devices, may not benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
Researchers will look at how different levels of auditory access (unassisted hearing, aided hearing, and device use) relate to development in children who already use hearing aids and in those who switch from hearing aids to cochlear implants. The study uses a cross-sectional approach to identify patterns that could guide doctors and families in choosing the most beneficial device. By describing outcomes across devices, it aims to reduce delays and improve children’s listening skills and overall development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help clinicians tailor device choices for better language and development outcomes in young children with this level of hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports device benefits in broader hearing loss groups, but this project targets a specific moderate-to-severe range and device candidacy.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiseman, Kathryn Beverly — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Wiseman, Kathryn Beverly
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Noise-related hearing loss and its link to Alzheimer's progression
Researchers are looking at whether hearing damage from loud noise speeds memory loss and dementia in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
-
Audiological rehabilitation for children with unilateral hearing loss
A research project aims to help children who hear with one ear by testing ways to improve their hearing and communication through targeted audiology interventions.
-
Noise-related hearing loss and brain-to-ear feedback in hearing protection
A small, patient-friendly study will look at how loud noise changes the brain’s control over hearing and whether this affects conditions like tinnitus or sensitivity to sound.
-
How loud noise can change the brain's sound decisions
This project looks at how loud noise-related hearing loss may affect how people process sounds and make quick decisions about what they hear.
-
Understanding how tactile language and wearable tech can help DeafBlind children learn and use language
A study at Gallaudet University tests a new tactile language and wearable haptic devices to help DeafBlind children build early language and everyday life skills.
-
Understanding why age-related hearing loss and tinnitus happen in diverse groups
A study aims to find genetic reasons behind age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in African ancestry and Latino populations.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.