Improving Speech in Noise Using Noninvasive Stimulation
Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Improved Speech in Noise Perception
University of Florida
55 participants
Mar 21, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Traumatic brain injury, a common injury in military service personnel, often leads to poor processing of speech in noisy environments. The goal of the current study is to better understand the brain basis for this difficulty and evaluate a new approach to improving speech in noise perception.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- years old
- Proficiency in English
- TBI group: history of traumatic brain injury by blast or physical trauma
- Normal hearing group: no history of traumatic brain injury
Exclusion Criteria4
- Other neurological diseases or related conditions will be excluded (e.g., large vessel stroke, seizures). We will exclude patients with severe medical diseases that may be associated with impaired cognition (e.g., heart failure, dialysis dependent kidney disease, brain cancer). Further, psychiatric diseases that are unlikely to be related to trauma will be excluded (e.g., schizophrenia).
- Patients with histories of severe psychiatric disease prior to trauma exposure will be excluded.
- Current illicit or prescription drug abuse (within the last two months)
- Any taVNS contraindication, including but not limited to the presence of unremovable metal in the left ear, known heart conditions, medications that influence neurotransmitters thought to be critical for vagus nerve stimulation (norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and serotonin), or implanted medical devices such as a pacemaker.
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Interventions
Electrical stimulation applied to the cymba conchae region of the outer ear
Electrical stimulation applied to the earlobe region of the outer ear
Locations(1)
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NCT07176936