Understanding how cochlear implants affect emotional communication in children and adults

Perception and Production of Emotional Prosody with Cochlear Implants

NIH-funded research Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-10875287

This study looks at how people with cochlear implants understand and express emotions in speech, helping both kids and adults with hearing loss improve their communication and social interactions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFather Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boys Town, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875287 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how individuals with cochlear implants perceive and produce emotional cues in speech. It focuses on the challenges faced by both children and adults with hearing loss in recognizing emotions conveyed through voice, which is crucial for effective communication and social interaction. The study aims to identify the acoustic characteristics that aid in emotion recognition and expression, exploring how these factors vary among patients. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve the quality of life for cochlear implant users by enhancing their emotional communication skills.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults who use cochlear implants and experience difficulties in recognizing or expressing emotions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use cochlear implants or those with normal hearing may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication strategies for cochlear implant users, enhancing their social interactions and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been some research on emotional communication in cochlear implant users, this study explores novel mechanisms that have not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Boys Town, 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 2026-06-13 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.