RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Spatial Hearing Rehabilitation in Noise for Bilateral Cochlear Implant Children

This study, called KidTrain, is for children aged 7 to 17 who have cochlear implants in both ears. Even though cochlear implants help a lot, some children still find it hard to know where sounds are coming from or to understand speech in noisy environments. Our research team has developed a new training program that uses fun, interactive activities, often involving virtual reality, to help improve these 'spatial hearing' skills. We want to see if this program can make it easier for children to navigate busy places and have better conversations. The study will measure how well children hear in noise and how it affects their everyday life, with the goal of improving their quality of life. We'll also include children with normal hearing to help us understand how these skills develop.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Enrolment target

Start

27 Mar 2024

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2027

Cochlear Implantation

What is this study about?

Imagine being in a busy playground or a noisy classroom. It can be tough to figure out where a friend's voice is coming from or to follow a conversation when there's a lot of background noise. For children with cochlear implants, this can be even more challenging. While cochlear implants are amazing devices that help children hear, sometimes locating sounds and understanding speech in noisy places can still be difficult. We call this 'spatial hearing' – knowing where sounds are in space.

Our team has been working on a special training programme called KidTrain. It uses fun, interactive activities, sometimes with virtual reality (like in a video game), to help children practice these hearing skills. We've seen good results in adults, and now we want to see if KidTrain can help children aged 7 to 17 with cochlear implants to hear better in noisy environments, understand speech more clearly, and generally improve their quality of life. We think that by training their 'auditory brain' in a new way, children can improve how they use the information from their cochlear implants.

We'll be testing how well children can locate sounds and understand speech in different noisy situations, both before and after the training. We'll also ask about how their hearing affects their daily life. This study is important because currently there isn't a specific training program focused on helping children with cochlear implants improve their spatial hearing. Our aim is to develop new and effective ways to help deaf children thrive in their everyday lives.

Key takeaways

A study for children aged 7-17 with cochlear implants or normal hearing.
Aims to improve 'spatial hearing' (locating sounds) and speech understanding in noise.
Uses a new program called KidTrain, often with virtual reality activities.
Could help children participate more easily in noisy daily life.
Measures hearing skills and impact on quality of life.
Participation is voluntary and can be stopped at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, children need to be between 7 and 17 years old. They should have normal eyesight (with glasses or contacts if needed) and be able to understand instructions for the training activities. It's also important for a parent or guardian to understand the study and agree for their child to take part.

If your child has cochlear implants, they need to have had them in both ears for at least two years and be able to understand at least 80% of speech well when using both implants. If your child has normal hearing and wants to join, their hearing test results should be within the normal range.

Unfortunately, children cannot take part if they have certain conditions like balance problems (vestibular areflexia), ADHD, known brain or mental health conditions, or eye movement problems. Also, if they are already in another medical study with an ongoing exclusion period, they won't be able to join this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 7 and 17?
Does your child have normal vision (with glasses/contacts is fine)?
Can your child understand instructions easily?
If your child has cochlear implants, have they had both for at least 2 years and understand speech well?
Does your child NOT have balance problems, ADHD, other brain conditions, or eye movement issues?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child takes part, they will undergo some hearing tests before and after the training program. These tests will include checking how well they can locate sounds and understand speech in noisy environments. The main part of the study involves the KidTrain program, which consists of several training sessions. These sessions will use interactive tasks, often within a virtual reality setting, to help them practice their spatial hearing skills. The exact number and length of sessions will be explained to you. We'll also ask you to complete questionnaires about your child's hearing and quality of life. The total duration of participation will involve several visits over a period that will be fully explained to you before starting.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer several benefits for your child, including improved spatial hearing and speech understanding in noisy environments, which could enhance their daily interactions and overall quality of life. There are no known serious risks associated with this type of hearing training or virtual reality use, but we will ensure sessions are comfortable and breaks are provided. As with any study, there's always the chance that the training might not benefit every child in the same way. You and your child have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting their medical care.

Locations (1)

Service d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie et Chirurgie cervico-faciale Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Groupement Hospitalier Centre
Verified postcode
Lyon, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'spatial hearing'?

Spatial hearing is your ability to tell where sounds are coming from – like knowing if a voice is from the left or right, or far away or close by.

What is KidTrain?

KidTrain is a new training program that uses fun, interactive activities, sometimes with virtual reality, to help children with cochlear implants improve their spatial hearing skills.

Will my child have to wear a virtual reality headset?

The training may include activities in a virtual reality setting. These are designed to be engaging and safe for children.

What will happen if my child joins?

Your child will have some hearing tests, take part in several KidTrain sessions, and you'll fill out some questionnaires about their hearing and quality of life.

Is this study safe?

Yes, this type of training and virtual reality use is generally very safe. We will make sure your child is comfortable throughout the sessions.

How to find out more

Aurélie Coudert, MD

aurelie.coudert2@chu-lyon.fr 0427855506 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.