Encoding Temporal Fine Structure for Cochlear Implants

NCT04708717 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: R01DC018044
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to improve music and speech perception for cochlear implant users. Presently, most cochlear implants discard the temporal fine structure of sound, which is information that is widely believed to contribute to both music and speech perception. The proposed work examines perceptual and physiological changes that occur once this information is provided to cochlear implant users in a clear and consistent manner.

Conditions

Hearing Loss; Cochlear Implants

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Baseline electrode psychophysics prior to training.

  Just-noticeable difference for pitch ranking based on stimulation cues. Pitch discrimination will be measured as provided independently by place and rate of cochlear implant stimulation, as well as in combination. Stimuli will be dual-electrode pulse trains, which probe place-pitch perception with greater resolution than possible with single-electrode stimulation. Two-alternative forced-choice procedures will be used in which participants judge which of two stimuli is higher in pitch. Frequency discrimination will be measured near condition frequencies of 110, 220, 440, 880, and 1760 Hz for each of the 4 stimulation conditions (place, rate, combined). Adaptive procedures will be used to measure 75% discrimination accuracy.

  Measure collected prior to training.

• Midpoint electrode psychophysics.

  Just-noticeable difference for pitch ranking based on stimulation cues. Pitch discrimination will be measured as provided independently by place and rate of cochlear implant stimulation, as well as in combination. Stimuli will be dual-electrode pulse trains, which probe place-pitch perception with greater resolution than possible with single-electrode stimulation. Two-alternative forced-choice procedures will be used in which participants judge which of two stimuli is higher in pitch. Frequency discrimination will be measured near condition frequencies of 110, 220, 440, 880, and 1760 Hz for each of the 4 stimulation conditions (place, rate, combined). Adaptive procedures will be used to measure 75% discrimination accuracy.

  Measure collected at 4-week midpoint during psychophysical training.

• Endpoint electrode psychophysics.

  Just-noticeable difference for pitch ranking based on stimulation cues. Pitch discrimination will be measured as provided independently by place and rate of cochlear implant stimulation, as well as in combination. Stimuli will be dual-electrode pulse trains, which probe place-pitch perception with greater resolution than possible with single-electrode stimulation. Two-alternative forced-choice procedures will be used in which participants judge which of two stimuli is higher in pitch. Frequency discrimination will be measured near condition frequencies of 110, 220, 440, 880, and 1760 Hz for each of the 4 stimulation conditions (place, rate, combined). Adaptive procedures will be used to measure 75% discrimination accuracy.

  Measure collected at 8-week endpoint following psychophysical training.

Study Arms (2)

Stimulation Rate

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Stimulation Rate; Behavioral: Electrode Location

Electrode Location

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Stimulation Rate; Behavioral: Electrode Location

Interventions

Stimulation Rate BEHAVIORAL

Psychophysical training listening to stimulation rate as a cue for auditory pitch perception. The intervention is the listening rehabilitative exercises. Exercises are completed daily as 30-minute sessions for 2 weeks.

Electrode Location; Stimulation Rate

Electrode Location BEHAVIORAL

Psychophysical training listening to electrode location as a cue for auditory pitch perception. The intervention is the listening rehabilitative exercises. Exercises are completed daily as 30-minute sessions for 2 weeks.

Electrode Location; Stimulation Rate

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Cochlear implant users.

You may not qualify if:

• Younger than 18 years.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Southern California: lead
• University of Rochester: collaborator
• Ohio State University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hearing Disorders; Ear Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Ray Goldsworthy, PhD

CONTACT

2132223384; raymond.goldsworthy@med.usc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 7, 2021
• First Posted: January 14, 2021
• Study Start: September 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

US (1)