OTC Hearing Aid and MCI

This is a single blind cross-over study comparing OTC Hearing Aids to communication strategies information/counseling and their impact on communication between a person who has hearing loss and MCI and a communication partner. Due to the nature of the study, it will not be possible to blind the participants to which arm they are in, but the scorers will be blinded.

Inclusion criteria

• Over 60 years of age
• Mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Diagnosis will be made at participating memory evaluation centers (see recruitment).
• Mild to moderate bilateral hearing loss and no current hearing aid use.
• A communication partner who is able and willing to participate in the study.
• No vision impairment that would interfere with the ability to complete study tasks (i.e., legally blind, severe cataracts, or macular degeneration)
• Able to provide own consent as evaluated by the Consent Assessment

Exclusion criteria

• Clinically significant unstable or progressive medical conditions, or conditions which, in the opinion of the investigator(s) places the participant at unacceptable risk if he or she were to participate in the study.
• History of unresolved communication difficulties following another neurological problem (i.e., stroke or brain tumor), neurodevelopmental disorder (i.e., Down's syndrome), or head/neck cancer
• Positive history of major psychiatric disorder (i.e., schizophrenia, significant untreated depression)
• Co-enrolled in other intervention studies targeting hearing, language, or communication strategies.
• History or current fluctuating hearing loss