Participants wanted

Information

The study

• This study explores how listening to emphasised words in English sentences by non-native listeners is influenced by a cochlear implant simulation. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that can partially restore hearing in deaf individuals. This is possible because the cochlear implant takes over the function of damaged hair cells in the inner ear and electronically stimulates the auditory nerve directly. This study uses a cochlear implant simulation, where normal hearing individuals listen to recordings which have been manipulated in such a way that they imitate the electric hearing of a cochlear implant. We investigate how the cochlear implant simulation influences how native Dutch listeners who are learning English in school listen to emphasised words in English sentences. Think of the sentence "John kicked the ball"; this sentence can be produced with emphasis on the subject John ("JOHN kicked the ball."), the verb kicked ("John KICKED the ball."), or the object ball ("John kicked the BALL."). But the sentence can also be produced without emphasising a word ("John kicked the ball."). The question is how well cochlear implant listeners can hear this and how effortful it is. Results of this study will contribute to the improvement of cochlear implants and to the improvement of foreign language learning for cochlear implant users.


• The study consists of an online listening task. This listening task can be performed at home and on your own computer. Make sure you are sitting in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed and please use good quality headphones. During the listening task, you will listen to normal English sentences and cochlear implant simulated English sentences such as "John kicked the ball" where certain words are produced with emphasis. The task you will have to perform will test whether you can hear whether the sentence contains a word that is produced with emphasis or not. At the same time you will have to perform an extra memory task for some sentences for which you will have to remember names. The listening task consists of multiple blocks. After each block you will get the opportunity to take a short break. The duration of the listening task is about 45 minutes.


• The study also consists of an online hearing test. This hearing test is meant to confirm that your hearing falls within the range of normal hearing. This is a requirement for participation. No rights can be derived from this test. The duration of the online hearing test is about 5 minutes.


• The study also consists of a questionnaire. This questionnaire mainly consists of questions about the various languages you speak or have learnt in the past. This information will solely be used for the analysis of the research data of the listening task.
  


• Participation in the study will not involve any risks or burdens. The listening task will be presented at a comfortable sound level.
  


• Participation in the study is completely voluntary. You are free to stop the study at any time without having to give a reason. Even after participation, you may still decide that your research data may not be included in the study. Stopping the study or withdrawal of your consent after participation has no adverse consequences.
  

The research data

• The research data will be treated confidentially and anonymously. The data will be processed only by means of a participant number. You will be assigned a participant number on the consent form and this number is only linked to your name on this form. The consent form will be stored separately from the research data in a secure database that only researchers directly involved in this study have access to.


• The anonymously processed research data will be used for analysis and publication. Data used for public purposes such as articles or presentations will not be traceable to you.


• If you decide to stop the study or withdraw consent after participation, your research data will not be included in the study. Your research data will in that case be deleted or destroyed.
  

Questions?

Questions about this study? Please contact the main researcher: