Cochlear Implant Speech in Noise Processing

Cochlear Implant Study on Speech Detection in Noisy Environments

Cochlear Implant Speech in Noise Processing
Recruiting
18 years - 99 years
All
Phase N/A
150 participants needed
2 Locations

Brief description of study

The study will help us in understanding the neural mechanisms by which listeners with a cochlear implant detect speech in noisy environments. 123

Detailed description of study

Despite the success of a cochlear implant (CI) for providing or improving hearing ability for people with severe hearing loss, everyday conversations in background noise are still the main clinical complaint. The goal of this study is to understand the neural mechanisms by which listeners with a CI detect speech in noisy environments, and to understand how these mechanisms differ across a variety of CI listeners, in order to determine what variables are most relevant for predicting successful outcome. Therefore the purpose of PET neuroimaging in this study is to find the brain regions that relate to speech in noise effort using PET during auditory stimulation on a single session across a variety of CI users with different device configurations. An age-matched typical hearing control group provides a baseline for comparison. PET neuroimaging will be performed using a radioactive form of water, O-15 (an investigational agent), that will be injected into the body to examine brain blood flow using a PET/CT scanner.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Hearing Loss, Adult-Onset, Speech Intelligibility, Hearing Loss, Extreme
  • Age: 18 years - 99 years
  • Gender: All

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.

This study investigates how individuals with cochlear implants detect speech in noisy environments. Cochlear implants are devices that provide hearing ability to people with severe hearing loss, but understanding speech in background noise remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to explore the neural mechanisms involved in speech detection for cochlear implant users and how these mechanisms vary among different users.

Participants will undergo PET neuroimaging, a type of brain scan, to identify brain regions related to the effort of understanding speech in noise. This will involve the use of a radioactive form of water, O-15, injected to monitor brain blood flow during auditory tasks. The study includes cochlear implant users with different device settings and a control group with typical hearing for comparison.

  • Who can participate: Adults aged 18 to 99 years with a cochlear implant activated for over a year or with typical hearing can participate. Key eligibility includes severe hearing loss after age 16 for implant users and age-typical hearing for controls.
  • Study details: Participants will have a PET scan using a radioactive substance to observe brain activity during speech tasks. The study includes cochlear implant users and a control group with typical hearing for baseline comparison.
  • Study visits: The study requires 1 visit.
Updated on 31 Mar 2026. Study ID: 202403834

Pre-Screener

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Informed consent
Introduction
You are being asked to participate in a research study. Before you decide to participate in this study, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. This form is designed to give you the information about the study so you can decide whether to be in the study or not. Please take the time to read the following information carefully. You should ask the researcher if there is anything that is not clear or if you need more information.
Study Participation
If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to:
  • Attend screening visit to determine eligibility
  • Attend 6–8 clinic visits over approximately 12 weeks
  • Provide blood samples at designated visits
  • Complete questionnaires about your symptoms and quality of life
  • Take study medication or placebo as directed
  • Report any side effects or health changes to the study team

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