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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07798453

Communication Training in Hearing Aid Users

The objective of the current research project is to investigate the effectiveness of communication training in first-time hearing aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss delivered in-person in groups or individually. In doing so, the project aims to strengthen evidence-based person-centered care for individuals with hearing loss and pave the path toward more holistic hearing healthcare.

We hypothesize that participants receiving communication training will show improved hearing-related quality of life, communication strategies, and personal adjustment compared to controls. Moreover, group training is expected to yield greater benefits in communication strategies and adjustment than individual training, due to its interactive nature and peer support, leading to more positive evaluations in interviews.

A pretest-posttest design will be used, with testing before and after the communication training sessions, and two experimental groups and a control group. The two experimental groups are the groups receiving in-person group and individual training. The control group does not receive the communication training nor an alternative. A mixed-method will be applied to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data include screening measures, audiological tests, and questionnaires, while the qualitative data consist of a semi-structured interview.

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Key information

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Age-Related Behavior Communication Ear Diseases Hearing Aids Hearing Disorders Hearing Loss Hearing Loss, Sensorineural Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Presbycusis Quality of Life Outcomes Sensation Disorders Sensorineural Hearing Loss Signs and Symptoms Speech Speech Intelligibility Verbal Behavior

Age range

45 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ghent University Hospital

Ghent, East-Flanders, 9000, Belgium

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Dutch speaking first-time hearing aid users between 45-80 years
  • Individuals with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss
  • Individuals with bilateral hearing aids (minimal 6 months)
  • Individuals who are capable to give consent to participate in the study themselves

Exclusion criteria

  • User of cochlear implants
  • Participants who have previously received auditory, auditory-cognitive, or communication training
  • Participants with a middle ear disorder
  • Participants without age-appropriate cognition

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive screening

Behavioral

The Dutch Montreal Cognitive Assessment will be assessed.

Audiological Assessment

Behavioral
  • Tympanometry
  • Otoscopy
  • Pure-tone audiometry
  • Speech audiometry in quiet and in noise

Questionnaires

Behavioral

5 questionnaires are included (Dutch translation):

  • The hAVICOP questionnaire to assess the hearing-related quality of life for Auditory-Visual, Cognitive and Psychosocial functioning
  • The Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (RHHI-A)
  • The Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI)
  • The Hearing Attitudes in Rehabilitation Questionnaire (HARQ)
  • The International OutcomeInventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)

communication training

Behavioral

The participant will take part in two training sessions. Depending on the assigned group, this will take place individually or in a group setting. During the training, challenges commonly faced by people with hearing loss will be discussed, and strategies to communicate more effectively will be introduced.

interview

Other

A semi-structured one-on-one interviews will be conducted. Participants in the group and individual training will be asked about the feasibility, usability, and effectiveness of the training they attended. Participants in the control group, who did not receive training, will be asked about their expectations regarding a communication training.

Primary outcomes

  1. Hearing related quality of life questionnaire

    Time frame: Once during the baseline testing and once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

    Higher scores mean a better outcome.

  2. International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Questionnaire

    Time frame: Once during the baseline testing and once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

    Higher scores mean a better outcome.

  3. Hearing Attitudes in Rehabilitation Questionnaire

    Time frame: Once during the baseline testing and once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

    Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

  4. Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Questionnaire

    Time frame: Once during the baseline testing and once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

    Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

  5. Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired Questionnaire

    Time frame: Once during the baseline testing and once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

    Higher scores mean a better outcome.

  6. Interview about training

    Time frame: This outcome measure will be assessed once: once during the post testing (+/- 7 to 8 weeks after the baseline).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Ghent

Other

Collaborators

  • Sonova AG

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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