Understanding how cochlear implants affect hearing and speech comprehension
Multisensory Integration and Cortical Plasticity in Cochlear Implant Users
This study is looking at how cochlear implants can help people with severe hearing loss understand sounds and speech better, especially by using visual clues, and it aims to find out who might benefit the most from getting these implants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906895 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how cochlear implants (CIs) can improve hearing and speech comprehension in individuals with profound hearing loss. It focuses on the role of multisensory integration, particularly how visual cues can enhance auditory recognition. The study will involve sensory experiments to assess changes in visual and audiovisual performance before and after CI surgery, alongside advanced brain imaging techniques to monitor neural responses. Additionally, it aims to develop a prediction model to help clinicians better understand which patients may benefit most from CIs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are considering or have undergone cochlear implantation.
Not a fit: Patients with mild or moderate hearing loss who do not require cochlear implants may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved outcomes for cochlear implant users by providing better predictions of speech recognition abilities post-surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that multisensory integration can enhance speech recognition, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for cochlear implant users.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kunnath, Ansley — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Kunnath, Ansley
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.