Music Training for Cochlear Implant Users
(MACI Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines how people with cochlear implants can better appreciate music. It explores whether musical pitch training can improve hearing, speech, and overall quality of life for those who have regained some hearing through these implants. Participants will either practice listening to musical pitches or engage in visual exercises for comparison. Ideal participants are teenagers and adults using cochlear implants. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance their musical experience and quality of life.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that musical pitch training is safe for cochlear implant users?
Research has shown that musical pitch training is generally safe for individuals with cochlear implants. A review of studies on hearing training found that adults with cochlear implants typically handle this training well, with few reported issues. One study focused on online music training for recognizing pitch and sound quality and found no major safety concerns reported by participants.
Musical training can also enhance complex hearing skills, such as understanding emotions in speech, without causing harm. This suggests that musical pitch training is a safe method to improve hearing and music enjoyment for those with cochlear implants.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the music training for cochlear implant users because it tackles hearing challenges in a novel way. Unlike standard treatments that focus on improving speech comprehension through electronic and surgical interventions, this approach uses musical pitch training to enhance listening skills. This auditory training aims to boost the ability to distinguish sounds more precisely, potentially improving speech comprehension in noisy environments and increasing musical pitch sensitivity. By engaging the brain's auditory processing areas through musical exercises, this method could offer a complementary enhancement to existing cochlear implant technology, providing a richer auditory experience.
What evidence suggests that musical pitch training could be effective for cochlear implant users?
Research shows that musical pitch training, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve how people with cochlear implants hear music. Studies have found that individuals with hearing impairments experience significant improvements in music perception after music training. For cochlear implant users, this training enhances their ability to understand musical notes and the unique quality of sounds. Another study found that this training not only improves music perception but also aids in understanding speech in noisy environments. These findings suggest that musical pitch training could enhance overall hearing experiences for cochlear implant users.678910
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for teenagers and adults who use cochlear implants due to hearing loss. It's not open to children under the age of 13.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training
Participants undergo daily training sessions for either visual or auditory tasks as part of a crossover trial
Assessment
Hearing assessment outcomes of speech comprehension in background noise and musical pitch sensitivity are conducted
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in speech recognition and pitch discrimination thresholds
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Musical pitch training
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Southern California
Lead Sponsor
University of California, Merced
Collaborator
Ohio State University
Collaborator