Safety and Feasibility of tDCS to Enhance Auditory Rehabilitation in Cochlear Implant Recipients

NCT ID: NCT04908631

Last Updated: 2025-08-22

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

8 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-03-15

Study Completion Date

2024-07-29

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with home-based auditory training therapy in cochlear implant (CI) patients. Changes in speech perception performance will also be evaluated.

Detailed Description

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Participants will complete a 4 week web-based auditory training program while wearing a transcranial direct current stimulation device (tDCS). The customized auditory training program will be completed at home, in 20 - 30 minute sessions at least five times a week for four weeks. A customized learning and practice plan will be provided along with instructions on use of the tDCS device.

tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that delivers low-intensity current via electrodes on the scalp to modify neuronal excitability in the underlying cortex. The tDCS system has customizable headgear with disposable, snap-in electrodes that are easy to apply at home without assistance.

Speech and hearing assessments will be completed prior to the start of auditory training, at the end of the 4 week training session, and again 6 months later.

Conditions

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Hearing Loss

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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tDCS during auditory training

Use of tDCS during completion of the auditory training program

Group Type OTHER

Transcranial Direct Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Brain stimulation using low-intensity current via electrodes on scalp to modify neuronal excitability in the underlying cortex. The tDCS system has customizable head gear with disposable, snap-in electrodes wihich can be applied at home without assistance.

Auditory Training Program

Intervention Type OTHER

Web-based program uses consonant and vowel recognition and understanding sentences/conversations in quiet and in noise using different talkers, and other types of listening exercises.

Interventions

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Transcranial Direct Stimulation

Brain stimulation using low-intensity current via electrodes on scalp to modify neuronal excitability in the underlying cortex. The tDCS system has customizable head gear with disposable, snap-in electrodes wihich can be applied at home without assistance.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Auditory Training Program

Web-based program uses consonant and vowel recognition and understanding sentences/conversations in quiet and in noise using different talkers, and other types of listening exercises.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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tDCS 1x1 tES mini-CT, developed by Soterix Medical, USA

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age \>/= 18 years of age
* Patients with a Unilateral Cochlear Implant device in use for a minimum of 1 year
* Sentence recognition scores (AzBio) below 65% and/or word recognition scores (CNC) are below 75% in the implanted ear for \> one year following cochlear implantation.
* Ability to access internet to conduct computer-based auditory trainings and weekly video visits with study team weeks 2-5

Exclusion Criteria

* Non-English speaking
* Diagnosis (documented or self-reported) of a psychiatric or neurologic condition, or any other comorbidities that may interfere with the study or increase the level of risk (such as dementia, seizures, legal blindness, brain tumor)
* Implants, other than CI, above collar bone level that may interact with delivery of tDCS
* Inability to or unwillingness to use electronic devices/computers, participate in video visits, or make required visits
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Duke University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Howard Francis, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Duke University

Locations

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Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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Pro00107525

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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