Hearing Function Tests for Hearing Loss
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore how hearing loss and aging affect the ability to understand speech amid background noise, such as at a busy party. Researchers will examine how differences in hearing between the ears influence these listening challenges. Participants will take hearing tests and report on their ability to understand speech in noisy settings. The goal is to improve hearing care and interventions. The study seeks native English speakers who primarily use spoken language and have no more than moderate hearing loss. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to advancing hearing care and interventions.
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it focuses on evaluating hearing function in individuals with acoustic hearing, which could lead to a better understanding of hearing loss. Unlike standard treatments like hearing aids or cochlear implants, which aim to amplify sound or directly stimulate the auditory nerve, this trial investigates the underlying mechanisms of hearing function. By pinpointing how different factors affect hearing, researchers hope to develop more targeted and effective interventions for hearing loss in the future.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Matthew J. Goupell, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Maryland, College Park
Michael P. Cummings, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Maryland, College Park
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals of varying ages who experience different levels of hearing loss, including those with unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss. It aims to include a diverse group to study how age and asymmetrical hearing affect understanding speech in noisy environments.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Assessment
Participants complete perceptual measures of hearing acuity and spatial hearing, and report on speech understanding under noisy and challenging listening conditions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any changes in hearing abilities and cognitive assessments are conducted
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Maryland, College Park
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator