Neural dynamics of sensory processing in children with hearing loss
Official title: Neural Dynamics underlying Sensory Processing in Children with Mild-to-Severe Hearing Loss
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-11380006 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study explores how the brains of children with mild-to-severe hearing loss process sounds and other sensations, aiming to understand why listening and learning can be harder for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $613,578 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC022043-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380006 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 with mild-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids or are candidates for amplification.
✕Less likely to help
Children without hearing loss or without participation in sensory processing tasks are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
Young children with hearing loss often fall behind in language and thinking skills despite early care. The project will look at how brain activity related to hearing and other senses supports or hinders processing, and how hearing aid use and audibility influence these brain patterns. By examining neural responses to different sensory inputs, researchers hope to identify targets to improve communication and academic outcomes. The work will use noninvasive brain measures to link sensory processing with real-world language and cognitive skills. Insights from this study could guide better intervention strategies for CHH and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective sensory-based therapies and tailored amplification settings to support language development and learning in children with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest distinct sensory processing patterns in CHH, with potential for targeted interventions, though further validation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heinrichs-Graham, Elizabeth — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Heinrichs-Graham, Elizabeth
Related research
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This grant explores which hearing device—hearing aids or cochlear implants—works best for children aged 0-11 with moderate-to-severe hearing loss.
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Understanding how tactile language and wearable tech can help DeafBlind children learn and use language
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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.