Improving Hearing with Cochlear Implants for Children and Adults
Perceptual implications of cochlear implant electrode-neuron interfaces
This project aims to understand how cochlear implants connect with the brain to help both children and adults hear more clearly, especially in noisy places.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11103277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cochlear implants are amazing devices that help many adults and children with severe hearing loss by converting sounds into electrical signals for the brain. However, hearing with an implant can still be challenging, especially in noisy settings, and performance varies greatly among users. This project explores how the implant's electrical signals interact with the hearing nerve, focusing on how this connection might be different for children who receive implants early in life. We want to discover better ways to program these devices, specifically for children, to help them hear more clearly and understand speech better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for severely hearing-impaired adults and children who use cochlear implants, especially those who received their implants at a young age.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use cochlear implants or have mild hearing loss would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways of programming cochlear implants that significantly improve speech understanding for both children and adults, particularly in challenging listening situations.
How similar studies have performed: While some programming strategies have shown success in adults, this project explores new approaches specifically tailored for children with cochlear implants.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arenberg, Julie G — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Arenberg, Julie G
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 below.