Using vibration to enhance spatial hearing in cochlear implant users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using vibration to enhance spatial hearing in cochlear implant users
IRAS ID
256879
Contact name
Mark Fletcher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 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.
This project's primary aim is to investigate whether presenting spatial hearing cues through vibro-tactile stimulation of the wrist can improve the accuracy of localisation in CI users.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0398
Date of REC Opinion
14 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion