Binaural listening and its effects on listening effort and development in Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implants

Effects of Binaural Hearing on Listening Effort and Cognitive Development in Mandarin-speaking Children With Cochlear Implants

This study will test whether listening with two ears (two cochlear implants or a cochlear implant plus a hearing aid) reduces mental effort and helps brain, social, and daily-life development in Mandarin-speaking children aged 6–18 who use cochlear implants compared with children with normal hearing.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 360 (estimated)
• Ages: 6 Years to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT07509788 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective observational study comparing school-aged Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implants to peers with normal hearing over three years. Participants complete hearing tests and measures of listening effort, cognitive development, social skills, and quality of life at repeated visits. The study compares children using one device versus binaural listening (bilateral CIs or CI plus hearing aid) to see whether reduced listening effort links to better developmental trajectories. No experimental treatments are given; researchers observe and measure real-world hearing and developmental outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are Mandarin-speaking children aged 6–18 with normal or corrected vision who either use unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants with good speech perception (CAP-II ≥ 5) or are age-matched children with normal hearing, and who can cooperate with testing and whose parent/guardian can give consent.

Not a fit: Children with diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorders, those unable to cooperate with testing, those without parental/guardian consent, or children outside the 6–18 age range are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could clarify whether binaural hearing reduces listening effort and supports better cognitive, social, and daily functioning, helping clinicians and families make informed decisions about bilateral implantation or contralateral amplification.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown binaural hearing can reduce listening effort and improve speech perception, but long-term links between listening effort and cognitive development in children remain relatively understudied.

Eligibility criteria

CI Group Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 6-18 years
2. Normal vision, including corrected vision
3. Prelingual deafness with bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, with unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation
4. Good speech perception ability, with Categories of Auditory Performance-II (CAP-II) score of 5 or above
5. Cooperative with testing, with signed informed consent from parent or guardian

Normal-Hearing Control Group Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 6-18 years
2. Normal vision, including corrected vision
3. Bilateral pure-tone average at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz of 30 dB HL or less
4. Cooperative with testing, with signed informed consent from parent or guardian

Exclusion Criteria (All Groups):

1. Diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorders
2. Absence of informed consent from parent or guardian
3. Other conditions deemed unsuitable for participation by the investigators

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zhuoyi Chen MD

Conditions: Cochlear Implant Users, Cochlear Hearing Loss