Research Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • The contact information you provide us will be entered into our Research Volunteer Database.
  • Researchers look in the database to find research participants.
  • If your information matches the needs of a study, a staff member will contact you and tell you about the study.

  • You don't have to participate in a study, even if you get a call from a researcher.
  • If you don't want to participate, just tell the researcher.
  • If you no longer not want to be called about research studies, you can ask us to remove your name from our Research Volunteer Database.

  • Participating in a research study may involve one or more visits.
  • Each visit can range from one to four hours, depending on the study.
  • When you are contacted, the researcher will tell you how many visits the study involves and how long they are. If you don't want to participate, just tell the researcher.

  • Most research studies take place at Boys Town's Downtown Clinic or the adjacent Lied Learning and Technology Center located near 30th and California Streets, Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Some studies take place at Boys Town National Research Hospital near 140th and Pacific Streets, Boys Town, Nebraska.
  • The researcher who calls you will provide directions to their research lab.

  • Participants are compensated for their valuable time.  Most studies pay at least $15 per hour.
  • In some cases, hearing, language and/or balance tests are provided at no cost.
  • Your contribution helps others. By participating in a study, you help us learn more about hearing, hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech and language, balance, cognition, behavior, neuroscience or other areas of interest.

  • Each study needs different groups of people. 
  • We have research opportunities for:
    • All ages, from infants through adults.
    • People with hearing, language and emotional/behavioral concerns and those without.
    • People who speak English and those who don't.

  • We would be happy for you to enroll yourself or your child as a research volunteer! Click here to find a research study.
  • You cannot enroll another adult, but they can enroll themselves by following the above link.

  • You may remove your name from our Research Volunteer Database at any time.
  • Please contact Human Subjects Core at (531) 355–6705 or core@boystown.org to withdraw. 

  • Boys Town National Research Hospital scientists are recognized nationally and internationally for our work in the areas of speech and language, hearing loss, behavior, cognition, and neuroscience.
  • We also mentor new scientists in order to train the next generation of researchers.  

  • Our goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients. 
  • Sometimes our findings can change clinical services right away and sometimes they provide a piece of the puzzle that leads to changes in the future.  
  • We also share our findings with other researchers in professional journals and at conferences.
  • Your information remains confidential when we share our information; we do not include your name in our research findings.

If you have additional questions, contact Human Subjects Core at (531) 355-6705 or core@boystown.org.