Understanding how cochlear implants affect speech comprehension and listening effort

Cochlear implants and listening effort: the interaction of cognitive and sensory constraints

['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11048686

This study is looking at how people with cochlear implants understand speech in everyday situations, especially when sounds are tricky to hear, to help improve their communication skills in real life.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11048686 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how individuals with cochlear implants (CIs) understand speech in everyday situations, focusing on the cognitive processes involved in adapting to challenging auditory signals. It aims to bridge the gap between simply recognizing words and truly comprehending conversations. The study will explore how linguistic context helps CI users make sense of degraded sounds and how the effort required to listen impacts their communication abilities. By examining these factors, the research seeks to improve outcomes for CI users in real-world settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who use cochlear implants and experience challenges in understanding speech.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use cochlear implants or those with other unrelated auditory conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of cochlear implants, leading to better speech comprehension and communication for users.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cognitive aspects of speech perception in CI users, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.