Understanding listening difficulties in children born very preterm

Uncovering the Neural Mechanisms and Antecedent Factors of Listening Difficulty in Preterm Children

NIH-funded research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-10973662

This study is looking at how being born very early affects listening and communication skills in kids, especially focusing on things like medications and brain scans, to help find better ways to support their hearing and language development.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project IDNIH-10973662 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the neural mechanisms and clinical factors that contribute to listening difficulties in school-age children who were born very preterm. By examining a cohort of over 300 preterm infants, the study aims to identify how factors like exposure to certain medications and abnormal MRI results can lead to hearing loss and communication challenges. The project will involve audiological testing and neuropsychological assessments to better understand these issues and improve outcomes for affected children. The ultimate goal is to enhance auditory and language skills in at-risk children through targeted interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are school-age children aged 6-8 years who were born very preterm and may be experiencing listening difficulties.

Not a fit: Patients who were not born very preterm or who do not exhibit listening difficulties may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved auditory and language outcomes for children born very preterm.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing issues in preterm infants, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Cincinnati, 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.