Simple tweak to cochlear implant settings could improve sound quality
NCT ID NCT06663917
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether changing the frequency settings on a cochlear implant can improve sound quality and speech understanding for people who use both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. Thirteen experienced bimodal users will try an experimental frequency setting for one month and compare it to the standard setting. The goal is to see if better matching the pitches between the implant and the hearing aid leads to a better listening experience.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- frequency allocation table (FAT) adjustment
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple software change that improves sound quality and speech understanding for bimodal cochlear implant users.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study with only 13 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The change is minor and may not provide noticeable benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 13 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 or older 2. Regular usage of a cochlear implant device with at least 18 active electrodes, and compliance with programming/appointments 3. Received a cochlear implant at least 6 months ago and use a hearing aid in the contralateral ear 4. Pure tone average (.5, 1, and 2kHz) between 30 and 70 dB (decibel) hearing level in the contralateral (hearing aid) ear 5. Standard FAT use for all programs prior to study participation 6. No known anatomical abnormalities in either ear 7. English speaking 8. No known cognitive impairments 9. At least 25% of subjects should use the Cochlear EA32 electrode Exclusion Criteria: 1. Under age 18 2. Non-English speaking. Participants that are Non-English speaking are excluded from this study due to the use of speech testing materials that are validated in the English language. Additionally, study team members are not equipped to appropriately score speech testing materials validated in other languages. 3. Cognitively impaired 4. Non-consistent device usage 5. Greater than 70 dB hearing level pure tone average in the contralateral ear 6. Normal hearing or mild hearing loss in the contralateral ear 7. Non-standard FAT programs 8. Use of any frequency transposition programming in hearing aid.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NYU Langone Health
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10016, United States
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