Shape Coding for Hearing Loss

Overseen By Jena McDaniel, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University

Disqualifiers: Dyslexia, Uncorrected vision, Severe motor, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help children who are deaf or hard of hearing improve their literacy skills, specifically in constructing sentences in written English. The study will test a method called shape coding, which uses visual supports to enhance understanding of sentence structure. Shape coding has proven effective for teaching spoken English and sign language, and it is now being applied to written language. Children in grades five through eight with bilateral hearing loss who use both spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL) might be suitable candidates, especially if they struggle with word order or grammar in writing. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for children to enhance their literacy skills through innovative methods.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that shape coding is safe for improving literacy skills in children who are deaf and hard of hearing?

Research has shown that shape coding is a well-researched teaching method that helps children with language disabilities learn to build sentences. Studies have found it effective for teaching sentence structure in both spoken English and American Sign Language to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Although specific safety data is unavailable, it is important to note that shape coding is a teaching tool, not a medication or medical procedure, and generally carries very little risk.

The method uses visual aids to help children understand and create sentences. Given its successful use in other contexts, shape coding is likely to be well-received. No reports of negative effects have emerged from using this method, suggesting that shape coding is a safe way to improve literacy skills in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Shape Coding for hearing loss because it offers a unique approach compared to traditional hearing aids and auditory training methods. Unlike other treatments that focus primarily on amplifying sound or improving auditory skills, Shape Coding helps individuals construct sentences by visually representing language structures. This method can potentially enhance language comprehension and communication skills, providing a more comprehensive solution for those with hearing loss. By focusing on language structure, Shape Coding could address a critical aspect often overlooked by conventional auditory treatments.

What evidence suggests that shape coding is effective for improving literacy skills in children who are deaf and hard of hearing?

Research has shown that Shape Coding, the treatment under study in this trial, is a helpful tool for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Studies have found that it improves writing skills, specifically enhancing sentence structure and word order. This method uses visual cues to aid learning, which is particularly beneficial for children with hearing impairments who often rely on visual information. Shape Coding has also succeeded in teaching grammar and sentence building in spoken English for children with language difficulties. These findings suggest that Shape Coding can boost literacy skills in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children in grades 5-8 who are deaf or hard of hearing. It aims to improve their written English sentence construction skills using shape coding, a visual support intervention.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must have bilateral hearing loss

I use English and ASL, and possibly other languages.

Participants must demonstrate the ability to read and understand the grammatical structures of interest and already be writing sentences but demonstrate errors in word order and/or grammar

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosis of dyslexia

Uncorrected vision impairment (i.e., identified vision loss without use of corrective lenses that interferes with eligibility evaluation tasks)

I struggle with severe motor skills issues, making it hard for me to complete tasks on my own.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive shape coding intervention to improve sentence construction in written English

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for maintenance of skills after intervention has ended

3 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Shape Coding

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of shape coding on improving accuracy in word order for written English sentences among deaf and hard of hearing children. The research involves single case studies with each participant being observed individually.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Shape coding Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention will be introducing and utilizing Shape Coding to construct sentences.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

714

Recruited

6,143,000+

Citations

1. mary-hare.files.svdcdn.com mary-hare.files.svdcdn.com/production/files/Research-Publications/2022-Bailey-A.pdf?dm=1729075371

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the SHAPE CODING ... The findings of this study were that all participant CWAD made statistically significant progress in writing, with post-intervention writing samples showing ...

2. shapecoding.com shapecoding.com/research/

Research The findings of studies investigating the effectiveness of the SHAPE CODING TM system have been published in peer-reviewed journals and references are listed ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/393242943_Using_the_SHAPE_CODING_System_to_Develop_Understanding_and_Use_of_English_Grammar

Using the SHAPE CODING™ System to Develop ... Auditory-verbal therapy for promoting spoken language development in children with permanent hearing impairments. Article. Mar 2014.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11673131/

Impact of Hearing Loss Type on Linguistic Development in ... This study aimed to analyze how different types and degrees of hearing loss impact linguistic development in children, and to identify clinical factors.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/273594085_Evaluating_the_effectiveness_of_therapy_based_around_Shape_Coding_to_develop_the_use_of_regular_past_tense_morphemes_in_two_children_with_language_impairments

Evaluating the effectiveness of therapy based around ... This study assessed the effectiveness of therapy based around Shape Coding in developing the use of the regular past tense morpheme -ed in two school-aged ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7251587/

Performance of Children With Hearing Loss on an Audiovisual ... The audiovisual nonword repetition task captured individual differences in the performance of children with wide-ranging hearing abilities.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2039-4349/14/6/84

Impact of Hearing Loss Type on Linguistic Development in ... This study aimed to analyze how different types and degrees of hearing loss impact linguistic development in children, and to identify clinical factors.

8. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00270

Complex Language Use in Children With Hearing Loss This scoping review aims to identify what is currently known about the complex syntax use of CHL who communicate through spoken language.