Sound Stimulation for Auditory Processing

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location

Overseen By Bharath Chandrasekaran, PhD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Disqualifiers: Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Cognitive impairments, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different sounds affect brain responses in individuals with normal hearing and no cognitive issues. Researchers aim to understand how factors like sound predictability and attention influence the brain's processing of speech and non-speech sounds. The trial focuses on native English and Mandarin speakers who lack extensive music training. Healthy individuals without hearing problems and with limited music training may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to foundational research on auditory processing.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this sound stimulation is safe for neurotypical human participants?

Research shows that using sound, such as speech and other noises, is generally safe for people. Studies have explored how individuals process and pay attention to sounds, and they have not identified any major safety issues or serious side effects.

In this trial, researchers examine how the brain responds to sound, similar to other research methods. This suggests the treatment is likely safe and well-tolerated. However, due to limited detailed safety information, monitoring participants' reactions during the trial remains important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about sound stimulation for auditory processing because it offers a non-invasive approach that leverages both speech and non-speech sounds to potentially enhance auditory skills. Unlike traditional therapies that may rely on medication or hearing aids, this method focuses on training the brain to better process sounds, which could benefit native speakers of different languages, like Chinese and English, in understanding and responding to auditory information. The unique aspect of using varied sound types aims to engage the brain's natural ability to adapt and improve auditory processing, offering a fresh avenue for treatment without the side effects associated with pharmacological interventions.

What evidence suggests that sound stimulation is effective for auditory processing?

Research shows that sound stimulation can help the brain understand sounds better. Studies indicate that auditory training, involving various types of sound stimulation, improves hearing and memory of speech, especially in children with developmental challenges. For instance, practicing listening to speech in noisy environments can enhance skills related to sound understanding and memory. One study found that sound processing ability affects speech comprehension and usage. This trial will explore the effects of both speech and non-speech sound stimulation on auditory processing. These findings suggest that such stimulation might improve sound processing. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Bharath Chandrasekaran, PhD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English or Mandarin speakers aged 13-25 with normal hearing and less than six years of music training. It's not for those with hearing loss, tinnitus, cognitive impairments, trouble understanding speech in noise, or proficiency in languages other than English/Chinese.

Inclusion Criteria

Hearing sensitivity within normal limits (Puretone hearing thresholds < 25dB from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz)

I am between 13 and 25 years old.

Healthy volunteers

Exclusion Criteria

I have experienced or am currently experiencing issues with my memory or thinking.

Proficiency in languages other than English or Chinese

I have experienced hearing loss or ringing in my ears.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

EEG and Pupillometry Session

Participants listen to sounds while EEG and pupillometry signals are recorded to study the frequency-following response (FFR).

Up to 3 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Data Analysis

Electrophysiological and pupillometry data are preprocessed and analyzed to evaluate pitch tracking and decoding accuracies.

2-4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects or feedback on the study.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Speech and non-speech sound stimulation

Trial Overview The study investigates how the brain responds to sounds and language using a neurophonic potential called FFR. It looks at how predictability, relevance of sound categories, and arousal state influence this response in healthy individuals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Neurotypical Human Participants Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Native speakers of Chinese and native speakers of English

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12452735/

Auditory Processing and Speech Sound Disorders: Behavioral ... Auditory Processing Disorders (APDs) denote the brain's inability to effectively process auditory signals, even when accurate information is ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1606860/full

Effects of auditory training on children with developmental ... Our findings indicated that AT may have positive effects on auditory processing, speech perception and phonological working memory in children with DLD.

3. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00008

Auditory Discrimination Elicited by Nonspeech and Speech ... A previous study reported that the LDN component showed delayed latencies in the auditory processing of children with reading problems, which indicated that ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587621001282

Effect of speech in noise training in the auditory and ... Speech-in-noise training improved the temporal processing skills as well as the working memory skills in children with APD supporting the relationship between ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/3/291

Auditory Processing and Speech-Sound Disorders The results of this study suggest that auditory processing abilities and phoneme discrimination have an effect on speech-sound assimilation and use.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10634468/

Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: A Narrative ... APD is a complex disorder that diminishes the ability to perceive both speech and non-speech sounds; however, there is no broadly agreeable ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7751306/

Auditory Spatial Attention to Speech and Complex Non ... Auditory spatial attention, a key component of orienting to sounds in the environment, has been shown to be impaired in adults with ASD. Additionally, specific ...

8. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00098

Exploring Auditory Processing Abilities and the Impact on ... The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between self-reported hearing difficulties, response time, and blast exposure history

9. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02203-2

Hearing and early life adversity: effects of developmental ... Several imaging studies have shown a relationship between SES and auditory speech and nonspeech processing ... Brief stimulus exposure ...