Enhancing speech perception in cochlear implant users using vibration

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Enhancing speech perception in cochlear implant users using vibration

• IRAS ID

  265606

• Contact name

  Mark Fletcher

• Contact email

  mdf1f15@soton.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Southampton

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 8 months, 28 days

• Research summary

  Cochlear implant (CI) users have poor spatial hearing, particularly when they are implanted in only one ear (as is the case in the majority of adults in the UK). A previous study has suggested that spatial hearing cues can be provided through vibration on the skin. Furthermore, our previous work has shown that speech-in-noise performance can be improved in CI users by presenting speech information via vibration on the wrists. This shows that sound information presented through vibration can support the CI signal.\n\nThis project’s primary aim is to investigate whether presenting spatial hearing cues through vibro-tactile stimulation of the wrist can increase the number of words correctly identified in noise when the noise and speech are spatially separated in CI users.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/YH/0186

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 May 2019

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion