Understanding how cochlear implants affect emotional communication

Perception and Production of Emotional Prosody With Cochlear Implants

Early Phase 1 Interventional Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NCT05486637

This study is testing how cochlear implants affect the way children and adults understand and express emotions in speech.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment255 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorFather Flanagan's Boys' Home Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Tempe, Arizona and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05486637 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how children and adults with cochlear implants perceive and produce emotional cues in speech. It focuses on the concept of 'cue-weighting', which refers to how individuals utilize different acoustic cues to interpret emotions. By examining the relationship between device experience and emotional communication, the research aims to identify key factors that influence vocal emotion recognition and production. The findings could lead to improved clinical protocols and technological innovations for cochlear implant users.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include prelingually deaf children and postlingually deaf adults who use cochlear implants.

Not a fit: Patients who are non-native speakers of American English or who received cochlear implants after age 12 may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance emotional communication skills in cochlear implant users, improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding vocal emotion perception in cochlear implant users, but this specific approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Prelingually deaf children with cochlear implants

  * Postlingually deaf adults with cochlear implants
  * Normally hearing children
  * Normally hearing adults

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-native speakers of American English

  * Prelingually deaf individuals who receive cochlear implants after age 12
  * Adults unable to pass a basic cognitive screen

Where this trial is running

Tempe, Arizona and 3 other locations

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.
Conditions Cochlear Hearing LossEmotional prosodyAcoustic cuesPerceptionProductionChildrenDevelopmentCochlear Implant
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.