Understanding how cochlear implant users hear speech in noise

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the neural mechanisms that enable cochlear implant users to detect speech in noisy environments. By utilizing PET neuroimaging, researchers will examine brain activity related to speech perception in various cochlear implant users, comparing their responses to those of age-matched individuals with typical hearing. The study will involve a single session of auditory stimulation while monitoring brain blood flow using a radioactive tracer. The findings could help identify factors that predict successful speech understanding in challenging listening conditions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Cochlear Implant subjects (enrollment is planned at N=120) - Inclusion criteria:

1. Between 18 and 99 years of age.
2. Have a cochlear implant activated for more than one year.
3. Eligible for research under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII.
4. Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
5. Severe hearing loss after age 16.

Normal Hearing subjects (enrollment is planned at N=30) - Inclusion criteria:

1. Between 18 and 99 years of age.
2. Have age typical hearing.
3. Eligible for research under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII.
4. Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria (all groups):

1. Medical history includes seizure disorder, head injury, neurologic, metabolic, cardiovascular disease, or previous cerebrovascular event (unless approved by PI).
2. Female self-reporting pregnancy. A urine pregnancy test will be performed prior to injection of the radiopharmaceutical.
3. Currently taking medications which may affect cerebral blood flow (e.g., papaverine, ginkgo biloba, acetazolamide).
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements per investigator.

Where it's running

• University of Iowa
  Iowa City, Iowa, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Craig D. Workman, PhD — University of Iowa
• Study coordinator: Craig D Workman, PhD
• Email: craig-workman@uiowa.edu
• Phone: (319) 384-5468

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Audiocap connected hearing device to improve audibility in adults with hearing loss

  This will see if the Audiocap connected hearing aid helps adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss hear better than a placebo (flat-response) setting after one month.

  Recruiting Archean Technologies · Lyon, France and 3 other locations · NCT07252492

• How hearing aids help in everyday noisy places

  This project tests whether different hearing aid settings and everyday noisy situations change how well hearing aids help adults with symmetric, adult-onset sensorineural hearing loss who already use hearing aids.

  Recruiting University of Wisconsin, Madison · Madison, Wisconsin · NCT07226167

• AirPods Pro as hearing assistive technology

  This test will see if AirPods Pro help adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss understand speech in noisy places compared with hearing aids and wireless remote microphones.

  Recruiting The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, Texas · NCT06840015

• Group singing benefits for older adults with hearing loss

  This study tests if group singing can help older adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss feel better and understand speech in noisy environments compared to joining an audiobook club.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Toronto Metropolitan University · Los Angeles, California and 6 other locations · NCT06580847

• Using smart hearing aids to assess and reduce fall risk while improving speech clarity

  This study is testing smart hearing aids that can help older adults not only hear better but also see if they can reduce the risk of falls by tracking their movements and activities.

  Recruiting Stanford University · Palo Alto, California · NCT05365646

• Improving speech understanding in older adults through cognitive training

  This study is testing a new training program to help older adults aged 65 to 85 understand speech better in noisy places.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Maryland, College Park · College Park, Maryland and 1 other locations · NCT04997577

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.