Improving Cochlear Implant Outcomes Through Modeling and Programming Strategies Based on Human In… (NCT07683689) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Improving Cochlear Implant Outcomes Through Modeling and Programming Strategies Based on Human Inner Ear Pathology
45 participantsStarted 2026-07-30
Plain-language summary
Cochlear implants are devices placed in the inner ear through surgery to help people with severe to profound hearing loss. While these devices work well overall, results vary widely from person to person. Many people with cochlear implants still have trouble understanding speech in noisy places and enjoying music.
This study looks at whether customizing the way a cochlear implant is programmed, based on the health of the hearing nerve in different areas of the ear, can help people understand speech better in noisy settings. The researchers will adjust or turn off certain electrodes in areas where the nerve appears weaker, then test whether this improves hearing compared to each person's everyday program. They will also examine whether giving people time to get used to the new program leads to better results.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 - 80 years old
* Native speakers of American English or Multilingual
* Wears a cochlear implant manufactured by Advanced Bionics (Clarion Hi-Focus I or newer)
* At least 6 months of listening experience with their cochlear implant, but could be recruited and consented prior.
* Bilateral hearing loss
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to provide informed consent
* Lost their hearing prior to the age of language acquisition (3-4 years) but did not receive a cochlear implant until adulthood
* Do not have age-appropriate speech perception testing from clinical visits or do not use their implant for oral communication
* Have neurological disease
* Have unmanageable facial nerve stimulation or pain as a result of their implant
* Does not tolerate implant well
* Unable to carry out the study protocol or tasks required in the study
* Poor vision such that the subject cannot adequately perform the study tasks on the computer screen
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Sentence Recognition in Noise (Everyday Program vs. Experimental Programs), In-Lab
Timeframe: Across a minimum of two in-lab sessions (each up to 3.5 hours)
2
Change in Vowel Identification (Everyday Program vs. Experimental Programs), In-Lab
Timeframe: Across a minimum of two in-lab sessions (each up to 3.5 hours)