Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Brain imaging of how cochlear implant users understand speech in noise

Studies brain activity during noisy listening in adults with cochlear implants.

Key facts

Who runs it: Craig D. Workman, PhD
Where: Iowa City, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT06860152
Registry title: Cochlear Implant Speech in Noise Processing
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 150 people, planned
Started: 14 Nov 2024
Expected to end: 31 Mar 2028
Type of study: Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested: Cochlear implant
Record updated: 14 May 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with a cochlear implant, and adults with normal hearing for their age as a comparison group. It studies how the brain hears speech in noise.

Age: 18 to 99 years.
Sex: All sexes can join.
Disease stage: Implant group: severe hearing loss that started after age 16. Comparison group: hearing typical for their age.
Earlier treatment: Implant group: a cochlear implant switched on for more than one year.

Main reasons for not taking part

History of seizures, head injury, nerve, metabolic or heart disease, or a past stroke (unless the lead researcher approves).
Being pregnant. A urine pregnancy test is done before the tracer injection.
Taking medicines that may change blood flow in the brain, such as papaverine, ginkgo biloba or acetazolamide.
Another illness that is not under control and would make it hard to follow the study.
Not able to have research under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII.

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 14 criteriaShow less

Who cannot take part

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

Other criteria

Cochlear Implant subjects (enrollment is planned at N=120) - Inclusion criteria:
Between 18 and 99 years of age
Have a cochlear implant activated for more than one year
Eligible for research under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII
Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document
Severe hearing loss after age 16; Normal Hearing subjects (enrollment is planned at N=30) - Inclusion criteria:
Between 18 and 99 years of age
Have age typical hearing
Eligible for research under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII
Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 18 and 99 years old?

Where in United States

University of IowaIowa City, United StatesContact: Craig D. Workman, PhDTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

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

The 2 groups in the trial

Cochlear implantTreatment being tested
Experienced (greater than 1 year) cochlear implant recipients
Age-typical hearing controlNo study treatment, for comparison
Age-matched, age-typical (normal) hearing control participants