How infants use multiple senses to learn speech

Infant multisensory integration and speech development: A multimodal imaging study

NIH-funded research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10873243

This study is looking at how babies learn to talk by using both what they hear and see, and it's for parents of infants aged 9 to 12 months, especially those born early, to help understand how their little ones' brains work as they develop speech skills.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10873243 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how infants integrate auditory and visual information to develop speech skills. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the neural mechanisms behind multisensory processing in infants, particularly those who are typically developing and those born preterm. The research focuses on infants aged 9 to 12 months to explore the relationship between brain activity and speech development. The findings could lead to better early diagnosis and intervention strategies for speech delays and language disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 9 to 12 months, particularly those who are typically developing or born preterm.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 12 months or those with established speech and language disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights that lead to improved early interventions for infants at risk of speech delays.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding multisensory integration in adults, but this approach in infants is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.