Understanding sound localization in deaf individuals

Localization and Mismatch Negativity in Subjects With Single-sided Deafness Ads Subjects With Unilateral Cochlear Implant

This study is trying to understand how people with different types of hearing loss, including those with cochlear implants, perceive sounds and locate where they come from.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Toulouse (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Toulouse)
• Trial ID: NCT03632551 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project aims to characterize mismatch negativity (MMN) as a neuronal marker for sound localization deficits in individuals with single-sided deafness and those with bilateral profound deafness who have received cochlear implants. The study involves various electro-physiological and psychoacoustic assessments, including EEG evaluations of MMN, spatial localization abilities, and speech recognition performance in noise. Participants include those with normal hearing, single-sided deafness, and cochlear implant recipients, with the goal of understanding how these conditions affect auditory processing and quality of life.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with single-sided deafness, those with bilateral profound deafness treated with cochlear implants, and normal-hearing individuals for comparison.

Not a fit: Patients with associated neurological disorders or those taking psychotropic medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve understanding of auditory processing in deaf individuals, potentially leading to enhanced cochlear implant technologies and rehabilitation strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While studies using fMRI and MEG have explored auditory processing in similar populations, the specific focus on MMN and its correlation with sound localization in this context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For symmetrical hearing subjects:

* Affiliation to a social security
* Normal hearing, or mild to moderate symmetrical hearing loss controlled by tone audiometry performed before inclusion (in air conduction and bone conduction, frequencies 250 Hz to 4000 Hz).
* Signature of the consent form

For subjects with single-sided deafness:

* Affiliation to a social security
* Subject having a unilateral deafness controlled by pure-tone audiometry before inclusion (in air conduction and bone conduction, frequencies 250 Hz to 4000 Hz).
* Signature of the consent form

For subjects with Cochlear Implants:

* Affiliation to a social security
* Subject with symmetrical or asymmetrical profound deafness treated by unilateral cochlear implantation.
* Signature of the consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of associated neurological disorder
* Taking psychotropic drugs
* Persons with complicated social or medical situations

Where this trial is running

Toulouse

• Oto rhino laryngologie — Toulouse, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mathieu Marx, PU-PH — CHU Toulouse
• Study coordinator: Soumia TAOUI

Conditions: Deafness, Mismatch negativity, EEG, Single sided deafness, Cochlear implant, Asymmetrical hearing loss, Spatial hearing, Binaural hearing