Social Influences on Sensorimotor Integration of Speech Production and Perception During Early Vocal Learning

Description

The goal of this study is to investigate the role of social factors on speech learning, including production and perception, in infants ranging in age from \~7-18 months. Infants have either typical hearing or sensorineural hearing loss. The main prediction of the study is that social reinforcement will engender improvements in vocal learning above and beyond gains in hearing in infants with hearing loss. As part of this study: * The parent and infant engage in a free play session in the playroom while the investigator cues the parent to say simple nonsense words; * Infants hear playback of the same words during a second phase.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Speech

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this study is to investigate the role of social factors on speech learning, including production and perception, in infants ranging in age from \~7-18 months. Infants have either typical hearing or sensorineural hearing loss. The main prediction of the study is that social reinforcement will engender improvements in vocal learning above and beyond gains in hearing in infants with hearing loss. As part of this study: * The parent and infant engage in a free play session in the playroom while the investigator cues the parent to say simple nonsense words; * Infants hear playback of the same words during a second phase.

Social Influences on Sensorimotor Integration of Speech Production and Perception During Early Vocal Learning

Social Influences on Sensorimotor Integration of Speech Production and Perception During Early Vocal Learning

Condition
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Los Angeles

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90089

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * infants ca. 7-16 months of age at study onset
  • * Infants less than 24 months of age (for follow-up visits only)
  • * At least one English-speaking or Spanish-speaking parent in the home who can participate in the study
  • * Subjects will include infants with typical hearing, hearing loss, or hearing loss remediated by a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
  • * infants who are not exposed to English or Spanish in the home
  • * infants who do not have a parent who can participate in the study will be excluded (Caregivers who are not parents will not be eligible to participate in the study)

Ages Eligible for Study

7 Months to 24 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Southern California,

Sarah W Bottjer, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Southern California

Study Record Dates

2025-02-01