Investigating Auditory Processing in the Users of Auditory Brainstem and Cochlear Implants

This is a basic investigational research study conducted with hearing impaired adults and children who use cochlear implant or auditory brainstem implant (ABI) devices. The study will evaluate different aspects of hearing and auditory processing in the users of implantable auditory devices.

Two types of measurements will be obtained: Perceptual: one or more sounds are presented and a behavioral response is collected (e.g., judgements of loudness, pitch or other differences between the sounds, or identifying the word or sentence that was said). Physiological: noninvasive electrophysiological recordings of nervous system activity.

Measurements taken from the electrode-neural interface will be used to guide elimination of poorly functioning ABI electrodes and improve speech perception outcomes.

Participants will listen to speech sounds and indicate what sentence or word they heard. The outcome is the percent of speech sounds that are correctly identified.

Two or more stimuli will be presented to participants, who will indicate which one is louder, which is higher pitched, or which one is different. The outcome is the percent of stimuli characteristics that are correctly identified.

Inclusion Criteria: Hearing impaired adult and or child (above 2 years old) who uses ABIs or cochlear implants. No diagnosis of any other communicative or cognitive disorder other than hearing impairment. The individual must be able to visit the lab in order to participate in behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. Patients' implant device must have useable electrodes that do not result in uncomfortable or unpleasant non-auditory sensation. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosed cognitive or communicative disorders (other than hearing impairment) Severe neurological disorders No useable electrodes in their implants

The de-identified participant data from the final research dataset used in the published manuscript will be shared upon reasonable request beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication or as required by a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research provided the investigator who proposes to use the data executes a data use agreement with NYU Langone Health. Requests may be directed to: [Mahan.Azadpour@nyulangone.org]. The protocol and statistical analysis plan will be made available on Clinicaltrials.gov only as required by federal regulation or as a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research.

Beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication or as required by a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research

The investigator who proposed to use the data will be granted access upon reasonable request. Requests should be directed to Mahan.Azadpour@nyulangone.org. To gain access, data requestors will need to sign a data access agreement.