Game on: Virtual-Reality training aims to sharpen hearing for kids with cochlear implants

NCT ID NCT05808543

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a set of three virtual-reality games, called BEARS, can improve hearing in noisy places for children aged 8 to 16 who have two cochlear implants. The games train the brain to pick out speech from background noise, locate where sounds come from, and enjoy music. Participants use the games at home for 3 months alongside their usual care, and researchers track their hearing and quality of life over a year.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Both EARS training package (BEARS) - a set of three virtual-reality games that train speech-in-noise perception, music listening, and sound-source localisation
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide an engaging, at-home training tool to help children with cochlear implants hear better in noisy places and enjoy music more.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively early-stage trial with 272 participants, and the training may not lead to meaningful real-world improvements. Results depend on how consistently children play the games.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Deafness hearing loss disorder Hearing Loss, Sensorineural sensorineural hearing loss disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEAFNESS HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS HEARING LOSS HEARING LOSS, SENSORINEURAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

Auditory Implants: Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
RECRUITING

London, London, WC1E 6DG, United Kingdom
Emmeline Centre for Hearing Implants
RECRUITING

Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Great Ormond Street Cochlear Implant Programme
RECRUITING

London, London, WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom
North East Regional Cochlear Implant Programme
RECRUITING

Middlesbrough, Middlesborough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom
Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme
RECRUITING

Nottingham, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
Oxford Auditory Implant Centre
RECRUITING

Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme
RECRUITING

Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock, KA2 0BE, United Kingdom
St George's Auditory Implant Service
RECRUITING

London, London, SW17 OQT, United Kingdom
St Thomas' Hospital Hearing Implant Centre
RECRUITING

London, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
The Midlands Hearing Implant Programme (Children's Service)
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Birmingham, Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom
The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants
RECRUITING

Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service
RECRUITING

Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
Yorkshire Auditory Implant Service
RECRUITING

Bradford, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, United Kingdom

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