Virtual Reality Game to Enhance Auditory Processing in Children With Cochlear Implants

Launched by ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY · Jan 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new virtual reality game designed to help children with cochlear implants improve their listening skills. The game simulates real-life situations where kids might have trouble hearing, helping them practice paying attention to sounds, remembering what they hear, and understanding speech in noisy environments. The study will involve children aged 10 to 18 who have received bilateral cochlear implants (meaning they have implants in both ears and lost their hearing before the age of 2). To participate, children need to meet certain criteria related to their hearing performance and language skills.

If eligible, participants will engage in this fun and interactive game alongside traditional rehabilitation methods. The researchers will assess how well the game works in improving auditory skills using specific tests. This innovative approach aims to support children's social integration and raise awareness about the challenges faced by those with hearing loss. It's important to note that the study is not yet recruiting participants, and all participants must be Turkish speakers who are willing to take part and provide consent.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Being between 10 and 18 years old
• • Having bilateral cochlear implants
• • Having prelingual hearing loss before the age of 2 and having a cochlear implant
• • Having a minimum receptive and expressive language age of 7 on the Peabody Picture-Word Test
• • Having no additional condition that may cause dizziness or balance disorders
• * Having a score in the following ranges on the Child Hearing Performance Scale (CHAPS):
• • Noise Environment item: -7 to -21
• • Multiple Stimuli item: -3 to -9
• • Auditory Memory item: -8 to -24
• • Auditory Attention Span item: -8 to -24
• • Having no diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder
• • Being a native Turkish speaker
• • Being willing to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals younger than 10 or older than 18 years old.
• • Individuals using unilateral cochlear implants.
• • Individuals without prelingual hearing loss or who had a cochlear implant after the age of 2.
• • Individuals with a receptive and expressive language age of under 7 as a result of the Peabody Picture-Word Test.
• • Individuals with dizziness, balance disorders or neurodevelopmental problems.
• * According to the results of the Child Auditory Performance Scale (CHAPS):
• • Those who scored under -7 or over -21 on the "Noise" subscale.
• • Those who scored under -3 or over -9 on the "Multiple Input" subscale.
• • Those who scored under -8 or over -24 on the "Auditory Memory" subscale.
• • Those who scored under -8 or over -24 on the "Auditory Attention Span" subscale.
• • Individuals whose native language is not Turkish.
• • Individuals who did not want to participate in the study and/or did not sign the informed consent form.