Spatial Hearing Training for Children 7 to 17 Years Old with Bilateral Cochlear Implants Using Virtual Reality to Improve Sound Localization and Speech Understanding in Noise

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a spatial hearing rehabilitation program called KidTrain designed for children aged 7 to 17 years with bilateral cochlear implants bCI. The study focuses on improving spatial hearing skills and speech understanding in noisy environments, which are essential for daily interactions but remain limited in bCI children. The program builds on previous pilot studies showing benefits of virtual reality and active listening in adults with bCI, aiming to enhance quality of life through tailored auditory training. The study includes three groups bCI children receiving two types of rehabilitation programs with varying use of spatialized sensory cues, and a control group of children with normal hearing NH. The rehabilitation involves multiple sessions manipulating ambient sound complexity and virtual visual cues to simulate real-life auditory environments. The intervention uses virtual reality combined with auditory and visual inputs to engage participants actively during training. Participants will undergo auditory tests including sound localization and speech perception in noise at baseline and at multiple points during and after the intervention. The study also collects questionnaire data on hearing-related quality of life. Researchers will assess auditory performance changes immediately after 4 training sessions and at later visits up to day 98. Compliance with the rehabilitation and the impact of spatialized sensory cues are also monitored to evaluate short- and medium-term benefits.

Spatial Hearing Rehabilitation in Noise for Bilateral Cochlear Implant Children