Audiology Services via Telehealth for Hearing Loss in Aging
(ACHIEVE-HIFU Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether telehealth (remote healthcare services) can improve hearing aid use and communication compared to traditional in-person visits. It involves two groups: one receiving hearing care through telehealth audiological rehabilitative service delivery and the other through clinic-based audiological rehabilitative service delivery. Both groups will have access to both methods over time. The trial seeks participants who have previously been part of the ACHIEVE study, are already using hearing aids, and agree to try either telehealth or in-person care. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance hearing care for many.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that these audiological rehabilitative service delivery models are safe for older adults with hearing loss?
Research has shown that both telehealth and in-person audiology services are generally safe and well-received for hearing loss care. Telehealth enables remote appointments and provides results similar to in-person visits, effectively supporting hearing aid users without additional risks. Studies confirm that telehealth offers reliable hearing tests and treatments.
Traditional clinic visits remain a common method for managing hearing loss and are widely accepted in healthcare. They provide face-to-face interaction, which some patients prefer for personalized care. Both telehealth and clinic visits have demonstrated safety, giving patients the flexibility to choose their preferred method of receiving hearing care. No major problems have been reported with either approach.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it's exploring the use of telehealth to deliver audiology services for hearing loss in older adults. Unlike traditional methods where patients must visit the clinic for every session, telehealth allows for remote access to care, making it more convenient and accessible, especially for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas. This approach aims to maintain or even improve the quality of care while providing flexibility and reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. The trial could potentially reshape how audiological care is delivered by integrating modern technology into routine healthcare practices.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for hearing loss in aging?
This trial compares clinic-based audiological rehabilitative service delivery with telehealth audiological rehabilitative service delivery for managing hearing loss in older adults. Research has shown that receiving hearing care at a clinic helps older adults manage hearing loss effectively, improving communication and boosting overall health. Studies have also found that telehealth services for hearing care are generally safe and work as well as in-person visits, providing reliable results for hearing tests and treatments. Both clinic visits and telehealth effectively address hearing issues, making either a good choice for managing hearing loss.13678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Frank R Lin, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
Johns Hopkins University
Victoria A Sanchez, AuD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of South Florida
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for older adults aged 70-84 with adult-onset hearing loss who previously participated in the ACHIEVE trial. They must have a mild to moderate hearing impairment and be open to using telehealth or clinic-based hearing care. Exclusions include severe vision impairment, recent use of hearing aids, unwillingness to wear them daily, certain ear conditions, and significant disability in daily activities.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either telehealth or conventional clinic-based hearing healthcare services
Crossover
Participants in the conventional HHC arm cross-over to receive telehealth HHC
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for hearing aid use and communication outcomes
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Clinic-based audiological rehabilitative service delivery
- Telehealth audiological rehabilitative service delivery
Trial Overview
The study compares two ways of delivering hearing healthcare: traditional in-clinic visits versus telehealth services. It aims to see if telehealth can improve how often older adults use their hearing aids and other communication outcomes compared to standard clinic visits.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
The telehealth hearing healthcare group will have clinic-based visits every 6 months for the duration of the 2-year study. This group will receive telehealth audiological rehabilitative service delivery and be able to utilize telehealth options, in addition to conventional options, to address any unanticipated needs that arise during both years of the study.
The conventional hearing healthcare group will have clinic-based visits every 6 months for the duration of the 2-year study. During Year 1, this group will receive clinic-based audiological rehabilitative service delivery and be able to use conventional options to address any unanticipated needs that arise, and then during Year 2, this group will also receive telehealth audiological rehabilitative service delivery and be able to utilize telehealth options, in addition to conventional options, to address any unanticipated needs that arise.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Johns Hopkins University
Lead Sponsor
NYU Langone Health
Collaborator
Wake Forest University
Collaborator
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator
University of North Carolina
Collaborator
University of South Florida
Collaborator
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Collaborator
University of Minnesota
Collaborator
Citations
Age-Related Hearing Loss: Evidence-Based Strategies for ...
Nationally, two-thirds of adults 70 years and older have a clinically significant hearing loss, increasing to >95% among individuals 90 years ...
Audiology Services via Telehealth for Hearing Loss in Aging
Research shows that telehealth in audiology is generally safe and effective, providing reliable results for hearing tests and treatments similar to ...
Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial
Conclusions: The findings of this study will provide evidence for the impact and cost-effectiveness of a community-based auditory or hearing ...
Effects on health outcomes following a nurse-led hearing ...
The sustained communication ability improvements at 3-month follow-up suggest hearing loss management programs positively impact the health of older adults with ...
Remote or in-clinic? The effect of service delivery mode on ...
This study will investigate whether remote hearing aid fittings can provide clinically equivalent outcomes when compared to current, in-clinic, best practice ...
Outcomes for Hearing Health Interventions
The most common treatment for sensorineural hearing loss involves amplifying the incoming signal to improve hearing function. This is accomplished most often ...
Navigating the Role of Mobile Audiology in Public Health
Mobile audiology services may play a vital role in public health programs and initiatives by bringing hearing health care to underserved communities.
Randomized Trial of Telehealth vs. Conventional Hearing ...
The telehealth HHC service delivery model allows for remote access to HHC services and continuous support of participants' hearing loss needs ...
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