Understanding how children with cochlear implants process sound
Official title: Binaural processing and hearing in children with cochlear implants
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10992122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kids with cochlear implants hear and understand sounds, especially how the age they got their implants and their listening experiences affect their hearing and thinking skills, and it’s designed for families with children who have hearing challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $594,955 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020355-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have received bilateral cochlear implants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received cochlear implants or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how children with cochlear implants experience and process sound, particularly focusing on the effects of age at which they received their implants and their auditory experiences. By comparing children with cochlear implants to those with normal hearing, the study aims to uncover how these factors influence binaural hearing and cognitive functions. The research employs a combination of perceptual tests and electroencephalography (EEG) to measure auditory processing and cognitive abilities. This comprehensive approach seeks to provide insights that could improve outcomes for children with hearing impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of cochlear implants, leading to better auditory and cognitive outcomes for children with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing in children with hearing impairments, making this study a continuation of established work in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Litovsky, Ruth Y — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Litovsky, Ruth Y
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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.