Understanding how people with Down syndrome hear and understand speech
Official title: SPEECH PERCEPTION AND AUDITORY ABILITIES IN INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-11218518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with Down syndrome, from babies to adults, hear and understand speech, especially in noisy places, to learn more about their communication skills and how hearing loss might impact them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $715,809 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DC020229-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11218518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants, children, and adults diagnosed with Down syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those who do not have any auditory processing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the speech perception and auditory abilities of individuals with Down syndrome, including infants, children, and adults. It aims to identify how these individuals perceive sounds and understand speech, particularly in challenging listening environments. The study will assess their ability to discriminate between different speech sounds and how hearing loss may affect their communication skills. By examining these factors, the research seeks to uncover the developmental milestones related to hearing and speech in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication strategies and interventions for individuals with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding auditory processing in neurotypical individuals can inform strategies for those with developmental delays, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leibold, Lori J. — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Leibold, Lori J.
Related research
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-
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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.