Evaluating language and music perception in cochlear implant patients

Relationship Between Pitch Discrimination, Music Abilities and Emotional Speech Perception in School Aged Children With Cochlear Implant

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS · NCT05950412

This study tests how well cochlear implant users over 6 years old can understand music and emotional language to see if there's a connection between the two.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment37 (estimated)
Ages6 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (other)
Locations1 site (Roma, Lazio)
Trial IDNCT05950412 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study assesses patients over 6 years old with severe hearing loss who are cochlear implant wearers. The focus is on evaluating their ability to perceive musical components and understand emotional language through a series of tests, including pitch and melody discrimination. Patients will undergo a battery of music tests designed to measure their auditory skills and comprehension of paraverbal language. The study aims to explore the relationship between musical ability and language comprehension in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged over 6 years with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss who are undergoing cochlear implantation.

Not a fit: Patients with pulsating tinnitus, congenital malformations of the auditory system, or other specified exclusions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of how cochlear implants affect language and music perception, potentially leading to improved rehabilitation strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on cochlear implants and music perception, this specific focus on paraverbal components is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* patients with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss undergoing cochlear implantation at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy;
* Intracochlear implant placement in soft surgery technique, by mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy and insertion of the electrode array through the round window
* age \>6 years
* patients without associated disabilities, with good auditory verbal perceptual skills and adequate language skills
* the ability to understand and perform the tests administered

Exclusion Criteria:

* pulsating tinnitus
* congenital malformation of the auditory system
* history of vestibular schwannoma, active middle ear disease and complete ossification of the cochlea.

Where this trial is running

Roma, Lazio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Paraverbal Components of Language and Cochlear Implant

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.