Cochlear-Implant Pitch Feel: A Penetrating Nerve Electrode to Improve Hearing
Official title: Cochlear-Implant Pitch Perception Enhanced by a Penetrating Auditory-Nerve Electrode
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11448591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new cochlear implant approach uses a penetrating nerve electrode to improve how people perceive pitch and understand speech in noisy places.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $530,902 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC023290-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cochlear implants who could benefit from improved pitch perception and auditory timing cues.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a cochlear implant or those unlikely to benefit from electric stimulation may see limited gains.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve hearing for adults with cochlear implants by directly stimulating the auditory nerve with a penetrating electrode to better convey pitch and temporal cues. The team will build on prior work showing that this approach can target low-frequency pathways important for timing and melody. The study will involve testing hybrid devices in humans to see if users experience clearer pitch, better speech in noise, and richer musical perception. Data will come from electrophysiology, hearing tests, and user feedback to guide device optimization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could enjoy clearer pitch perception, better understanding in challenging listening environments, and richer music appreciation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests targeted intraneural electrodes can enhance tonal and temporal processing in the cochlea, with early positive findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richardson, Matthew Lyle — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Richardson, Matthew Lyle
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.