Music therapy to improve speech understanding in noise after cochlear implant
Impact of Music Therapy on Speech Intelligibility in Noise With Cochlear Implants
This trial will test whether six months of music therapy starting right after cochlear implant surgery helps adults with new implants understand speech better in noisy places.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Luzerner Kantonsspital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lucerne, Canton of Lucerne) |
| Trial ID | NCT06734897 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will randomize adults receiving a new cochlear implant into three groups: an early-start music therapy group that begins therapy immediately for six months, a delayed-start group that begins six months later, and a no-therapy control group. The music program uses targeted training of rhythm, pitch, and timbre based on a Heidelberg concept and is delivered in person. Speech intelligibility in noise will be measured with the OLSA sentence test at six and twelve months to compare outcomes across groups. Eligible participants are German-speaking adults aged 18–85 undergoing first-time cochlear implantation, excluding congenital deafness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–85 who are receiving a new cochlear implant, speak German as their main language, and are not congenitally deaf are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with congenital deafness, those who cannot attend in-person sessions at the Lucerne site, or non-German speakers are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help cochlear implant users better understand speech in noisy environments and improve everyday communication.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research with normal-hearing listeners has suggested music-based training can aid speech perception, but randomized evidence in cochlear implant users is limited, making this application relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patient aged between 18-85 years 2. Patients who undergo a new CI Implantation 3. Patients who speak German as their main language Exclusion Criteria: 1\. Patients with congenital deafness
Where this trial is running
Lucerne, Canton of Lucerne
- Lucerne Cantonal Hospital — Lucerne, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Armina Kreuzer, Dr. tech.
- Email: Armina.Kreuzer@luks.ch
- Phone: +412055059
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.