Binaural cue sensitivity with combined electric and acoustic hearing in children and adults
Official title: Binaural Cue Sensitivity in Children and Adults With Combined Electric and Acoustic Stimulation
Run by Hearts for Hearing · NCT07356128 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether children and adults with cochlear implants and preserved low-frequency hearing can use binaural hearing cues better when they have both electric and acoustic stimulation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hearts for Hearing Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | November 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | January 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07356128 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children (5-17) or adults (18+) with at least one cochlear implant, bilateral mild-to-profound sensorineural loss with unaided thresholds ≤80 dB HL at 125 and 250 Hz, typical nonverbal cognition, spoken English as the primary communication mode, and willingness to use EAS as verified by data logging.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with single-sided deafness, without preserved low-frequency hearing, or with excluded comorbidities such as autism, auditory neuropathy, significant neurologic disorders, or global cognitive impairment are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The project will enroll children (5-17) and adults (18+) who have cochlear implants with preserved low-frequency acoustic hearing, alongside normal-hearing control participants. Participants will complete behavioral tests of binaural hearing (including speech-in-noise, spatial hearing, and sensitivity to interaural time and level differences) and objective electrophysiologic measures across repeated visits to track changes over time. Device data logging will verify use of combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) in the implanted ear(s). The goal is to describe the time course and mechanisms of binaural benefit from EAS across ages to inform clinical management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians tailor EAS fittings and rehabilitation to improve speech understanding in noise and spatial hearing for cochlear implant users.
How similar studies have gone: Prior adult studies have shown consistent EAS benefits for speech-in-noise and spatial hearing and links between ITD/ILD sensitivity and benefit, but pediatric outcomes and developmental time courses remain under-studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pediatric EAS: aged 5-17; Adult EAS: aged 18+ years * At least one CI and bilateral mild to profound sensorineural hearing loss with unaided audiometric thresholds ≤ 80 dB HL at 125 and 250 Hz, in both ears. * Willingness to use EAS technology in the implanted ear(s) to be verified via data logging * Nonverbal cognitive abilities within the typical range * No co-morbid diagnoses such as autism, auditory neuropathy, neurological disorder, or general cognitive impairment * Use of spoken English as main mode of communication * For children and adults with normal hearing, they will demonstrate audiometric thresholds 20 dB HL or better from 250-8000 Hz Exclusion Criteria: * single-sided deafness (SSD)
Where it's running
-
Hearts for Hearing
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rene H Gifford, PhD
- Email: rene.gifford@heartsforhearing.org
- Phone: 405-548-4300
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.