Intensity and temporal detection in adult cochlear implant users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the effect of electrical stimulation rate and electrical threshold setting on the perception of soft intensity speech in adult cochlear implant users.
IRAS ID
275606
Contact name
Deborah Vickers
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
UCL Data protection team, Z6364106/2020/10/41
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 25 days
Research summary
The continuing development in signal processing techniques has contributed to improved speech perception abilities in cochlear implant (CI) users. However, despite these reported improvements, a limitation remains for CI users when detecting speech presented at soft levels in quiet and in the presence of competing noise. Researchers to date have evaluated the effect of adjusting programmable parameters within the CI with the goal of improving speech perception, but there remains an absence of systematic evaluation of the effect of adjusting parameters either individually or in combination using standardized speech perception measures as an outcome. Accordingly; no clinical consensus or corresponding clinical programming guidelines exist. The study will systematically explore two programmable parameter changes using an outcome of loudness, temporal and pitch resolution ability. The measurements will be made across three visits in an outpatient setting, taking no more than three hours per visit in total. Experienced adult CI users will be recruited to respond to listening tasks which measure the smallest discernible change in loudness, timing and in pitch for a range of stimulation rates and minimum electrical stimulation levels. Finally, after a speech listening task, a standardised speech perception test will be conducted.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0589
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion