Understanding listening difficulties in children born very preterm
Official title: Uncovering the Neural Mechanisms and Antecedent Factors of Listening Difficulty in Preterm Children
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-10973662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC022030-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are school-age children aged 6-8 years who were born very preterm and may be experiencing listening difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not born very preterm or who do not exhibit listening difficulties may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kojima, Katsuaki — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kojima, Katsuaki
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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.