Improving the hearing of people with cochlear implants

Deafness Research UK is seeking funding for a project aimed at improving the speech understanding and musical perception for people with cochlear implants.

A cochlear implant, or 'bionic ear', is an electronic device that directly stimulates the auditory nerve, which can help even profoundly deaf people gain a sense of sound.

However cochlear implants cannot restore perfect hearing. In particular, there are difficulties with the way in which they process pitch, making it difficult for users to appreciate music or pick out individual voices from a background of complex noise.

The aim of this project, led by Cambridge-based Dr Robert Carlyon, is to identify ways in which the sound processing in cochlear implants can be modified so that pitch perception can be improved.

Improving the way in which cochlear implants process pitch will enable users to access music and follow conversations more easily, particularly in noisy environments.

So far we have received generous donations from:

• The Aquarius Charitable Foundation
• Chamberlain Foundation
• Cambridge Building Society
• The Music Sales Charitable Trust
• The Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust

If you are interested in supporting this work, please contact our fundraising team on 020 7833 1733, or at