The Effectiveness of Over the Counter Hearing Products for Middle-Aged Adults
| Status: | Not yet recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Other Indications |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 40 - 64 |
| Updated: | 10/14/2018 |
| Start Date: | November 2018 |
| End Date: | November 2021 |
| Contact: | Michael Clauss, Ph.D. |
| Email: | hearingbrain@comdis.umass.edu |
| Phone: | 413-345-6760 |
Aging and Speech Perception in Complex Listening Environments
The investigators will examine the effectiveness of selected over-the-counter personal sound
amplifiers in addressing functional hearing problems in middle-aged listeners with mild
hearing loss. Many people are unlikely to pay several thousand dollars for hearing aids but
they likely would be more willing to try a possible solution that is less expensive. When
faced with counseling these individuals, audiologists are at a loss regarding whether or not
to suggest that they try this type of technology, since there is virtually no research
available to verify that these devices actually are helpful, particularly for individuals
with mild hearing loss. The hypothesis being tested is that personal sound amplifiers can
improve functional hearing and decrease cognitive load in complex auditory environments.
amplifiers in addressing functional hearing problems in middle-aged listeners with mild
hearing loss. Many people are unlikely to pay several thousand dollars for hearing aids but
they likely would be more willing to try a possible solution that is less expensive. When
faced with counseling these individuals, audiologists are at a loss regarding whether or not
to suggest that they try this type of technology, since there is virtually no research
available to verify that these devices actually are helpful, particularly for individuals
with mild hearing loss. The hypothesis being tested is that personal sound amplifiers can
improve functional hearing and decrease cognitive load in complex auditory environments.
The field trials in this project will require you to use OTC hearing devices for a specified
period of time in both ears simultaneously, and in just one ear, with periodic lab-based
re-evaluation. Each field trial will continue until asymptotic performance is identified (up
to a maximum of 12 weeks). You will return to the lab for assessment every 2 weeks. During
each visit, speech perception and subjective listening effort will be assessed. Depending
upon the specific field trial, the investigators also will complete measures of cognitive
load (via dual-task paradigms), spatial release from masking, and localization ability during
each lab visit.
period of time in both ears simultaneously, and in just one ear, with periodic lab-based
re-evaluation. Each field trial will continue until asymptotic performance is identified (up
to a maximum of 12 weeks). You will return to the lab for assessment every 2 weeks. During
each visit, speech perception and subjective listening effort will be assessed. Depending
upon the specific field trial, the investigators also will complete measures of cognitive
load (via dual-task paradigms), spatial release from masking, and localization ability during
each lab visit.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 40-64 years
- Mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss
- Learned English as a first language
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous use of hearing aids
- Hearing loss/problems attributed to factors other than aging
- History of: neurologic disorder, middle-ear disease
- Score of < 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
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