Clinical studies

Learn more about cochlear implant technology, research and clinical studies

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At Cochlear, we are committed to improving the lives of people with hearing loss through science and innovation. We make a large investment in research and development to improve our technologies. As part of the unique hearing precinct at Macquarie University, we work with thousands of hearing related professionals on research, clinical development, manufacturing and rehabilitation. Our research teams collaborate with top hearing professionals and have more than 100 active research partners in 20 different countries to continuously innovate and provide breakthroughs to those with hearing loss. We are involved in regulated clinical trials and advanced clinical studies designed to improve hearing health. Current study topics include expanding indications, input processing and hearing preservation, among others.

Here you will find a summary of the current clinical studies by our clinical partners in the United States and Canada. You should contact your audiologist and physician to discuss your participation in a clinical study. Each study has specific requirements for participation. Participants must be informed of risks and benefits of participation in a study. be informed of risks and benefits of participation in a study.

Clinical studies

This section lists clinical studies at clinics across the United States and Canada that are not sponsored by Cochlear. If you are a professional interested in posting your research on Cochlear’s website please click here for an editable pdf request form.

University of Minnesota Listen Lab for Speech Communication and Hearing Loss

We are interested in speech perception and the things that make it difficult or effortful. Effort is the focus of the study because it is a common experience among people with hearing loss, and it affects peoples’ lives in many ways, including socially, medically and in terms of job performance. 

All of the lab tests involve listening to words or sentences where we see how changes in speech rate, timing, articulation or different talkers affects how you hear the speech. We measure listening effort by tracking pupil dilation as people listen to speech. The measurement uses a camera, so it is non-invasive. We are focused on seeing how much effort it takes, and how long the effort lasts, when sentences are heard and when a person needs to think back to correct a word that might have been mistaken. There are a variety of studies, and we typically book appointments for 2 or 3 hours so that we can do multiple different listening tasks in one visit. We compensate at a rate of $25 per hour. 

The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand how effort speech perception is for people with hearing loss so that this aspect of listening can be better captured in diagnostics and so that we can raise awareness of its importance.

If you are interested in participating, please contact the Listen Lab at ListenLab@umn.edu or call 612-625-3327.

Indiana University study on neurocognitive development in adults and children with cochlear implants.

The DeVault Otologic Research Laboratory at Indiana University School of Medicine is currently seeking research participants between the ages of 3 and 25 with bilateral or unilateral cochlear implants to participate in a study about neurocognitive development in children and adults. Neurocognitive development refers to processes in the brain involved in memory, complex thinking and learning. We know that cochlear implants do not provide equal benefit for all people with a profound hearing loss, and we think that differences in neurocognitive development may help explain why. The information we obtain from this study will help us to identify children who may be at high risk for poor speech and language development after cochlear implantation, so they can receive the most appropriate treatment and services as early as possible.

If you are interested in participating, please call or email Shirley Henning, M.S., CCC-SLP (317-278-8390); schennin@iupui.edu to find out more about the study. Your interest does not obligate you to participate.

For more information regarding this study, please click here.

Disclaimer

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

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