Improving Cochlear Implant Outcomes Through Modeling and Programming Strategies Based on Human Inner Ear Pathology

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Deafness

In brief

Cochlear implants are devices placed in the inner ear through surgery to help people with severe to profound hearing loss. While these devices work well overall, results vary widely from person to person. Many people with cochlear implants still have trouble understanding speech in noisy places and enjoying music. This study looks at whether customizing the way a cochlear implant is programmed, based on the health of the hearing nerve in different areas of the ear, can help people understand speech better in noisy settings. The researchers will adjust or turn off certain electrodes in areas where the nerve appears weaker, then test whether this improves hearing compared to each person's everyday program. They will also examine whether giving people time to get used to the new program leads to better results.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07683689

Run by

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

People needed

45

Starts

2026-07-30

Expected to finish

2028-07-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18 - 80 years old
• Native speakers of American English or Multilingual
• Wears a cochlear implant manufactured by Advanced Bionics (Clarion Hi-Focus I or newer)
• At least 6 months of listening experience with their cochlear implant, but could be recruited and consented prior.
• Bilateral hearing loss

You may not qualify if…

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Lost their hearing prior to the age of language acquisition (3-4 years) but did not receive a cochlear implant until adulthood
• Do not have age-appropriate speech perception testing from clinical visits or do not use their implant for oral communication
• Have neurological disease
• Have unmanageable facial nerve stimulation or pain as a result of their implant
• Does not tolerate implant well
• Unable to carry out the study protocol or tasks required in the study
• Poor vision such that the subject cannot adequately perform the study tasks on the computer screen

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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