Improving Music and Speech Perception for Cochlear Implant Users

This study aims to improve how cochlear implant users hear music and speech by focusing on how they perceive pitch. Most cochlear implants currently don't use "temporal fine structure" (detailed timing information in sound), which is important for pitch. This research will explore if providing this information through two types of training – "Stimulation Rate" and "Electrode Location" – can help people learn to use it. Success will be measured by how well participants can identify pitch before, during, and after these training exercises. You may be able to join if you are an adult (18 years or older) who uses a cochlear implant. The study plans to enroll 24 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 24 adult cochlear implant users. It will examine how different training methods impact pitch perception.
What's involved
You would complete daily 30-minute listening exercises for two weeks for each training type. Your pitch perception will be measured before training, at a 4-week midpoint, and at an 8-week endpoint.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pitch perception will be measured at an 8-week endpoint following the psychophysical training.

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NCT04708717

Encoding Temporal Fine Structure for Cochlear Implants

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Southern California
~24 participants
Updated 2025-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Stimulation RateElectrode Location

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Baseline electrode psychophysics prior to training.
Measured over Measure collected prior to training.
+2 more outcomes measured
Hearing Loss
Cochlear Implants
1 sites across 1 states
California1

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Cochlear implant users.

Exclusion

Younger than 18 years.
  • Baseline electrode psychophysics prior to training.Measure collected 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.

  • Midpoint electrode psychophysics.Measure collected at 4-week midpoint during psychophysical 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.

  • Endpoint electrode psychophysics.Measure collected at 8-week endpoint following psychophysical 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.