Exploring language development in young deaf and hard of hearing children using American Sign Language and spoken English.
Official title: American Sign Language and Spoken English Development of Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10880916 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using American Sign Language or spoken English helps young deaf and hard of hearing children learn language, so caregivers can make better choices about how to communicate with their kids and support their language growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $827,851 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC021188-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880916 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are deaf or hard of hearing and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not deaf or hard of hearing, or those who do not have access to ASL or spoken English, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different communication modes, specifically American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English, affect the language development of young deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. Caregivers often struggle with choosing the best communication method for their child, and this study aims to provide empirical evidence to guide those decisions. By analyzing data from a large source of ASL and English development, the research will characterize the language growth of DHH children with varying access to these languages. The goal is to identify effective interventions and ensure children meet their language development milestones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide caregivers with evidence-based guidance on the most effective communication methods for their DHH children, leading to improved language outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the impact of different communication modes can significantly influence language development in DHH children, making this study a continuation of important work in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdaniel, Jena C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mcdaniel, Jena C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving healthcare for patients with inherited cancer syndromes using a web-based platform
This study is testing a new online tool called MeTree that helps people understand their risk for inherited cancer by combining their medical records and family health history, making it easier for patients and doctors to get the information they need for better care and support.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Enhanced surveillance for new vaccine‑preventable diseases
A Vanderbilt team is tracking how well vaccines work and how diseases like flu, RSV, norovirus, and SARS‑CoV‑2 affect young children over time.
-
Generative AI to create private, fair health data for research
A researcher at Vanderbilt aims to use Generative AI to create synthetic health data that protects patient privacy while helping AI models be fairer and more accurate.
-
ConProject-003: A patient-facing initiative at Vanderbilt for advancing care
A Vanderbilt-led project (ConProject-003) is funded to drive improvements in care for people with a specific health condition through a dedicated program.
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.