The SparCI Study (Study of Processing Skills and Developmental Auditory Responses in Children with Cochlear Implants) investigates how children with cochlear implants process sound, and how this relates to their speech and language development.

Although early cochlear implantation supports hearing development, children show wide differences in how they learn to listen and communicate. This study focuses on auditory processing skills, particularly spectro-temporal processing, to better understand why these differences occur and how outcomes can be improved.

Children take part in fun, game-based listening activities, including interactive tasks like the “Rockets” game (cSTRIPES) and other engaging assessments designed to measure how the brain processes complex sounds. These activities are specifically designed to be child-friendly, while providing high-quality research data.

Who can take part?

Children aged 7–11 years

Received a cochlear implant before age 2

What’s involved?

Two sessions (around 2 hours each)

Sessions take place one year apart

Flexible testing at school or closer to home

£25 voucher per session

Why take part?

By joining the SparCI Study, your child will help improve understanding of how children with cochlear implants listen, learn and communicate.

This research will directly inform future:

Clinical care in paediatric audiology

Educational support strategies

Hearing technology development

Participation is designed to be easy, flexible, and respectful of your child’s routine.

Interested or want to learn more?

Contact Carolina Leal at cl841@cam.ac.uk