Understanding how cochlear implants affect the perception of vocal tone.
Official title: Prosody perception in cochlear implant listeners
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11078656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cochlear implants help people understand the tone and pitch of voices, which are important for picking up on emotions and context in conversations, and aims to find ways to improve communication for those using these devices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 31, 2024 |
| Project end | May 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $80,740 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DC021847-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who use cochlear implants and experience difficulties in understanding vocal prosody.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cochlear implants or have normal hearing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cochlear implants impact the ability to perceive vocal prosody, which includes the tone and pitch of speech that convey emotional and contextual meaning. It aims to identify the challenges faced by cochlear implant users in understanding these vocal cues, which are crucial for effective communication. By developing better assessment tools focused on prosody perception, the research seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals with cochlear implants. The methodology involves evaluating the performance of cochlear implant users in recognizing vocal inflections and their correlation with communication success.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication outcomes and quality of life for cochlear implant users by enhancing their ability to understand vocal tone and intention.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that focusing on vocal prosody can significantly improve communication outcomes for cochlear implant users, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wheeler, Harley James — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wheeler, Harley James
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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.