Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 99Years
All Genders
ID06860152

O15-PET Imaging of Cochlear Implant Speech in Noise Processing

Led by Craig D. Workman, PhD · Updated on 2026-05-14

150

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how people with cochlear implants understand speech in noisy environments, aiming to uncover the brain mechanisms involved. The study compares cochlear implant users with typical hearing individuals to identify brain regions linked to speech-in-noise effort. This research uses PET neuroimaging with a radioactive tracer called O-15 to examine brain blood flow during auditory tasks in a single session. Participants include experienced cochlear implant users who have had their device activated for over a year and age-matched individuals with normal hearing. The study involves a single PET/CT scan session where participants undergo auditory stimulation to measure brain activity related to speech understanding in noise. Typical hearing participants provide a baseline for comparison. During the study, participants will have a PET scan using an injected radioactive water tracer to assess brain blood flow while listening to speech in noise. Researchers will measure brain activity to identify areas involved in processing speech under challenging conditions. The main outcome is to find cortical regions linked to speech-in-noise understanding in cochlear implant users. Participation involves one visit with neuroimaging and informed consent procedures, with monitoring for any safety concerns related to the tracer injection.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Cochlear Implant Speech in Noise Processing

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 99Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Adults aged between 18 and 99 years
  • Cochlear implant users must have their implant activated for more than one year
  • Participants must be eligible under the Iowa Cochlear Implant Project VIII
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent
  • Severe hearing loss onset after age 16 for cochlear implant group
  • Age-typical hearing for normal hearing control group
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • History of seizure disorder, head injury, neurologic, metabolic, cardiovascular disease, or previous stroke unless approved by the principal investigator
  • Female participants who are pregnant (verified by urine pregnancy test before radiotracer injection)
  • Use of medications that affect cerebral blood flow (such as papaverine, ginkgo biloba, acetazolamide)
  • Uncontrolled illness that limits compliance with study requirements

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - 1 day

Participants undergo PET neuroimaging to identify brain regions related to speech-in-noise processing using a radioactive tracer during auditory stimulation.

1 visit (in-person)

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

C

Craig D Workman, PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Number of Arms

2

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