# Perceptual consequences of cochlear implant

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · 2021 · $361,250

## Abstract

Project Description
Cochlear implants are highly successful neural prostheses that enhance or restore hearing to the severely
hearing impaired. However, performance varies considerably among cochlear implant listeners, particularly in
noisy environments and for spectrally complex stimuli like music. We have developed fast and reliable tools to
assess patterns of perceptual responses that are fairly predictive of variability in performance outcomes. These
new procedures, established in adults, will allow for the first systematic investigation of single-channel
performance measures and their relation to listening performance in children with cochlear implants. The
results will guide the refinement of listener-tailored programming methods, leading to improvements in listening
abilities.
Three aims are proposed: 1) to develop and assess listener-tailored cochlear implant programming, based on
the focusing or deactivation of select channels, that will improve performance on complex listening tasks; 2) to
assess the degree to which chronic listening experience enhances performance with listener-tailored
strategies; and 3) to establish our first understanding of basic psychophysical measures in prelingually deaf
and early implanted children to define the best route towards pediatric, listener-tailored programming
approaches.
The results of these studies are expected to advance our understanding of how cochlear implants should be
programmed to best deliver spectrally challenging stimuli. Ultimately, the findings may lead to improved
functional outcomes for both pediatric and adult cochlear implant listeners and provide insight into how the
auditory system develops with altered input through a cochlear implant.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10129935
- **Project number:** 5R01DC012142-11
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
- **Principal Investigator:** JULIE G Arenberg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $361,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-02-01 → 2022-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10129935

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10129935, Perceptual consequences of cochlear implant (5R01DC012142-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10129935. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*