Background
Research shows that children with cochlear implants have varying speech and language skills, influenced by factors like the cause of their hearing loss and how long they've been deaf. Another factor is how well the parents/carers are interacting and communicating with the child.
The IMPACT trial will test, if training parents to communicate better with their children using a program called "It Takes Two to Talk" (ITTT) can improve their speech and language skills after a CI. Furthermore, in addition to the usual NHS care, we will use the ITTT programme. In the ITTT programme parents will learn how to understand their child’s communication style, work with a speech therapist to set goals, and find ways to motivate and encourage their child to communicate. The program will also teach parents how to adjust everyday routines to help their child participate in conversations and support language development.
Who can take part in the study?
We are looking for children under the age of 5 years old who are due to receive cochlear implants and their parents/carers to take part in this trial.
If you are suitable and consent to the trial, what happens next?
As nobody knows which method helps language development the most, families will be placed into a group by chance, through a process called randomisation. Approximately one month after your child’s CI surgery you will be randomly placed into one of two groups:
1. Standard Care Group: The child receives standard NHS care.
2. Standard Care + ITTT Group: The child receives standard NHS care plus the parent(s) take part in the ITTT programme. ITTT will be delivered remotely.
Trial duration
The trial will last for 12 months and families will have to attend two appointments* at their cochlear implant centre after the child receives their CI.
*Speech and language tests will take place before CI surgery, at 6 and 12-month visits.
Follow up visits
One year after you have been randomised either to the “Standard Care Group” or the “Standard Care + ITTT Group” you and your child will attend a visit at your cochlear implant centre. There, your child will complete two assessments with an SLT, to gather information about their speech and language skills lasting approx. 2 hours. Prior to these visits, we will send you two questionnaires to complete at home, which should take no more than an hour.
The 12-month visit marks the end of your participation in the trial. After this, you will not need to do anything further, and your child’s care will resume as normal at their cochlear implant centre.
How we use your information
Animated Explainer Videos
The following video links are designed to supplement or provide an alternative format to explain core trial topics to participants.
Videos in English:
Videos in English with british sign language:
Videos in Welsh: