Speech Recognition Training for Hearing Loss
This study is evaluating whether training of visual speech and audiovisual speech can help people with hearing loss.
See full descriptionAbout the trial for Hearing Loss
Treatment Groups
This trial involves 6 different treatments. Speech Recognition Training is the primary treatment being studied. Participants will be divided into 6 treatment groups. There is no placebo group. The treatments being tested are not being studied for commercial purposes.
Eligibility
This trial is for patients born any sex aged 18 and older. There are 4 eligibility criteria to participate in this trial as listed below.
Approximate Timelines
Measurement Requirements
This trial is evaluating whether Speech Recognition Training will improve 5 primary outcomes and 4 secondary outcomes in patients with Hearing Loss. Measurement will happen over the course of up to 8 weeks.
Patient Q & A Section
What causes hearing loss?
Most forms of hearing loss occur from nonmedical causes, although some common diseases may also lead to hearing loss, such as meningitis and otitis media.
How many people get hearing loss a year in the United States?
The current estimates of the number of people with hearing loss in the United States indicates that over 50 million people will have hearing loss by the end of the 21st century. It is imperative that preventive measures are put in place across our nation.
How serious can hearing loss be?
Hearing loss can be very serious and cause substantial distress. The prevalence of hearing loss in the UK is approximately 10% in adults, but this has increased by 1% in each decade for the past 20 years and is expected to exceed 30% within the next 20 years as a result of ageing and the continuing rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, a major cause of cardiovascular disease. It has been estimated that the number of jobs that will be eliminated due to lost productivity and the need to hire and train replacements will have a global impact on both the economy and society. As such, it is important for health planners that people with severe and deteriorating hearing loss are identified and supported early.
What are common treatments for hearing loss?
The available treatment options for hearing loss vary according to the causative factor. The most common treatments for hearing loss are the management of middle ear inflammation, medications used to treat and prevent middle ear infection, the management of sleep apnea, the removal of foreign bodies, and the management of ear malformations.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
Hearing loss with conduction of sound through the ear canal, a conductive hearing loss, may be diagnosed when hearing loss begins at approximately age 40. Sensorineural hearing loss, when it happens at a younger age than 40 and presents with abnormal responses to sound, is a very strong sign of a concurrent illness such as meningitis, tumour or an autoimmune disorder. Sensorineural hearing loss is typically associated with a conductive loss and is therefore best diagnosed when the other signs begin to show at a young age. Hearing loss is more difficult to diagnose than pain or tinnitus, because any one of these signs may develop at any time and are likely indicators of other medical problems, even if the signs do not yet occur.
Can hearing loss be cured?
The research has shown that hearing loss cannot be cured, but patients can still live a satisfying life if they take responsibility for their condition and work with their hearing health providers to improve their hearing. This approach needs more study and the treatment of hearing loss should not be a priority for hospitals to decrease over-treatment.
What is hearing loss?
Many persons who are diagnosed with hearing loss are not hearing health practitioners. Some are not properly informed by health professionals as to the importance of hearing for language, social interaction and self-care. Many persons are unaware of hearing and hearing aids, or are hesitant to seek help because of embarrassment. It is important to develop strategies and communication devices that enable persons with hearing loss to find qualified healthcare professionals.
What is the primary cause of hearing loss?
When a patient presents with hearing loss one of the first questions that needs to be clarified is what caused it.(ABSTRACT TRANSLATED FROM FARUSHANIAN LANGUAGE INTO ENGLEISH) The majority of cases that are reported will have a combination of several possible causes. Therefore, it could be the best course for the clinician to pinpoint the cause of hearing loss in these cases.
Is speech recognition training safe for people?
Significant improvement in speech recognition occurred in people who had worked with an adaptive training strategy. It was possible to demonstrate that such programs can be delivered, provided there are the necessary resources.
What are the latest developments in speech recognition training for therapeutic use?
Speech recognition training can improve the production speech in those with severe and moderate degrees of hearing loss. The use of hearing aid with cochlear implant may help to improve speech production of individuals who may be candidates for speech recognition training and with hearing aid alone. Cochlear implant may improve speech production after the use of either type of fitting of hearing aid or cochlear implant. The findings show that the findings have improved the rate of speech production of hearing-impaired individuals to a greater extent than has been reported following other forms of communication intervention (e.g., signing).
Is speech recognition training typically used in combination with any other treatments?
The mainstay of treatments for hearing impairments will likely continue to be speech therapy. Speech therapy therapists typically view their clients with hearing impairments only as a tool to improve their literacy and spoken language skills. Speech recognition training, in addition to improving a client's communication skills, can also help improve their hearing abilities by providing auditory rehabilitation. However, this benefit can only be achieved as part of a broad-based plan that also includes audiologic education and hearing protection.
Have there been other clinical trials involving speech recognition training?
A statistically significant improvement was found in the participants' performance compared to baseline. This is compelling evidence in support of the benefits of training in speech perception. However, the improvements observed in participants in both groups (dysarthrosis and post-surgical patients as well as volunteers) are not likely to be only due to training. If a similar training regimen or other interventions can be proven effective in other patients it may alter the current practice and have a broader indication for use. Long-term studies are required to confirm these findings.