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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03704142

Comparison of PSAPs in Different Maskers

This study will measure the performance of three personal amplification devices when used by middle-aged adults. Speech understanding will be assessed with two different types of background noises at three different input levels.

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Key information

Conditions

Auditory Perception

Age range

45 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States

About this study

Speech understanding will be measured both unaided and aided with three different models of Personal Amplification devices (PSAPs). Sentences will be played to the participant from a loudspeaker located in front. Different types of background sounds (noise and other sentences) will be played from loudspeakers located to the right and left of the participant. Participants will be instructed to repeat back the sentence coming from the front. They also will rate subjective effort at the end of each block of trials.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • mild high-frequency hearing loss (pure-tone thresholds of 25 decibels hearing loss - 45 decibels hearing loss between 2000 Hz and 6000 Hz)

Exclusion criteria

  • history of prior hearing aid use
  • history of neurologic or otologic disorders
  • score of < 26 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (cognitive screening tool)

Treatment and study plan

Sound World Solutions CS50+

Device

Participants will be tested using the Sound World Solutions CS 50+ hearing devices.

Tweak Focus

Device

Participants will be tested using the Tweak Focus hearing devices.

IQ Earbuds

Device

Participants will be tested using the IQ Earbuds hearing devices.

Bose Hearphones

Device

Participants will be tested using the Bose Hearphones hearing devices.

Primary outcomes

  1. Comparison of How Four Models of Personal Listening Devices Improve Word Understanding in Noise

    Time frame: One 2-hour lab session

    Improvement in performance on speech perception task using the Nuheara IQ Buds, Tweak Focus, Bose Hearphones, or the Sound World Solutions CS 50+ personal listening devices, measured by percentage of words accurately recalled in noise with device minus percentage recalled without device. Positive values indicate improvement in performance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Difference in Self-rated Listening Effort

    Time frame: One 2-hour session

    Effect of listening devices on subjective listening effort, measured by rating on ten-point scale (10 = greatest amount of effort) after task performed with device minus rating after task performed without device. Lower scores indicate less listening effort; negative values indicate reduction in effort with device.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Personal Amplification Devices in Noise and Speech Maskers

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Oct 12, 2018
Registry last updated
May 17, 2022

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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