The clinical feasibility of recording CAEPs in cochlear implant users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The clinical feasibility of using the HEARLab to record Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEPs) in adult cochlear implant users
IRAS ID
177475
Contact name
Kevin Munro
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 29 days
Research summary
Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEPs) are electrical signals produced by the brain in response to sound stimuli. CAEPs, recorded from electrodes on the scalp, have the potential to provide an objective evaluation of hearing devices. Cochlear Implants (CI) allow patients with a hearing loss, who do not benefit from hearing aids, to perceive sound. The CI is programmed by finding the lowest level of electrical stimulation required for the user to first perceive a sound. The stimulation current is increased until the user reports that a comfortably loud level of sound is heard. The audibility of sound is imperative for speech and language development however infants or patients with learning difficulties are unable to provide this subjective feedback. Currently these groups are assessed using age appropriate behavioural testing however success can be variable due to cognition. Recording CAEPs could indicate whether the implant is providing an adequate level of stimulation to be detected by the brain in order to provide benefit. CAEPs are known to correlate well with perception of sound.
The primary aim is to investigate the feasibility of recording CAEPs in adult CI users who provide a compliant test group. Participants will be recruited for one, two hour session in the Audiology Centre at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The HEARLab equipment will be used to record CAEPs to three speech sounds of /m/, /t/ and /g at 55, 65 and 75 decibels (dB) forming nine test conditions. We will measure the proportion of CAEPs present and the amplitude and latencies of the P1, N1 and P2 waveforms for each condition. The preparation and recording duration and incidence of artefact will be noted. Secondly, we will investigate the relationship between the CAEP morphology and the speech discrimination abilities of the participants as determined by their BKB sentence scores.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0783
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion