Comparing Self-Fitting Strategies in the Lexie Powered by Bose Hearing Aids

NCT ID: NCT05782153

Last Updated: 2024-02-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-07-17

Study Completion Date

2023-11-14

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

More than 1.5 billion people around the world experience hearing loss, of whom at least 430 million experience disabling hearing loss that will require rehabilitation. The majority of people have mild to moderate hearing loss and can benefit from hearing aids. However, hearing aid adoption around the world has been low, with global hearing aid coverage being less than 11%. This is partly due to limited access to hearing healthcare services and the high cost of hearing devices.

However, there have been significant efforts to improve access to hearing healthcare services. This includes rapid advances in hearing aids and new service-delivery models leading to more affordable and accessible options such as Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. On the 17th of October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a regulatory category for OTC hearing aids. The final rule allows consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online retailers without the need for a medical exam, prescription or a fitting by an audiologist. The FDA defined two sub-categories for OTC hearing aids, namely 1) OTC hearing aids with standardized output profiles (i.e., pre-set programs) and 2) self-fitting OTC hearing aids which allow users to program their hearing aids with a self-fitting strategy and also customize their hearing aid settings according to their needs and preferences.

Sabin et al. (2020) was the first study to validate a self-fitting method using the Bose prototype hearing aid. This self-fitting method allowed users to select their own signal processing parameters using a mobile application consisting of two wheels that simultaneously control the gain and compression of all frequency bands. Sabin et al. (2020) evaluated the real-world performance of this approach by comparing gain, sound quality and clinical measures of hearing aid benefit and satisfaction between a group using the self-fitting method and a group that was professionally fitted with the same hearing aid. The gain selected by the self-fit group was within 1.8 dB overall and 5.6 dB per band compared to the gain selected by the audiologist. Participants in the self-fit group reported better sound quality, and there were no differences in clinical measures of hearing aid benefit or satisfaction.

Although a number of studies have compared self-fitting OTC devices to conventional hearing aids fitted by hearing healthcare professionals, no study has compared different self-fitting strategies in the same OTC device. Therefore, this study aims to compare the existing self-fitting strategy of the Lexie Powered by Bose hearing aids (i.e., direct adjustment) to a recently validated in-situ audiometry fitting strategy. The in-situ audiometry fitting strategy consists of in-situ thresholds measurements conducted at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz through the hearing aids, which will be used with a proprietary fitting algorithm that is based on National Acoustics Laboratories' Non-Linear Version 2 (NAL-NL2) to self-program the hearing aids.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

* Objective: To compare an in-situ audiometry self-fitting strategy to the Bose self-fitting strategy (i.e., direct adjustment) using the same Lexie B2 Powered by Bose hearing aids. Hearing aid benefit and satisfaction will be compared in the same participants between the two fitting strategies. Additionally, Real Ear Measurements (REM) and speech perception will be compared in the same participants between the two fitting strategies.
* Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that there will be no statistically significant difference in terms of perceived hearing aid benefit and satisfaction, REM and speech perception within the same individual after receiving intervention A (hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment) and intervention B (hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ fitting) in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over within-subjects controlled trial.
* Design: Randomized, double-blind, cross-over within-subject controlled trial comparing an in-situ audiometry self-fitting strategy to the Bose self-fitting strategy (i.e., direct adjustment) using the same Lexie B2 Powered by Bose hearing aids in the same participants, which allows for participants to be their own control (n=40).
* Setting: This study will involve clinical audiometric testing at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, as well as a user field trial of the fitted hearing aids using each fitting strategy.
* Participants: Eligible participants will include 40 adults (\>18 years) with a self-perceived mild-to-moderate level of hearing loss, without symptoms of outer- and middle ear pathology and who own a smartphone with access to mobile data (Android or iOS). Participants will be recruited and will randomly be assigned to a group using computer-generated randomization by an independent research assistant after being stratified for sex and degree of hearing loss.
* Intervention: Forty participants will randomly be assigned to be fitted with intervention A (hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment) or intervention B (hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ fitting) and wear the hearing aids for four weeks. After four weeks, they will be crossed over to be fitted with the alternative fitting strategy, and they will wear the hearing aids again for four weeks.
* Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure will be the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB). The secondary outcome measures will be the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), Overall experience rating, REM, the QuickSIN speech-in-noise test and the Digits-in-noise test.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Hearing Loss

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Cross-over within-subjects design. Forty participants will randomly be assigned to do a hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment (Intervention A) or a hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ audiometry (Intervention B) using the Lexie Powered by Bose hearing aids and will be asked to wear the hearing aids for four weeks. After four weeks, they will be crossed over to be fitted with the alternative fitting strategy, and they will be asked to wear the hearing aids again for four weeks.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Intervention A (hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Intervention A (hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment)

Intervention Type DEVICE

The intervention offered is a hearing aid fitting with the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids using a self-fitting strategy with direct adjustment. The hearing aids will be accompanied and operated with the Lexie smartphone application. Participants will complete a hearing screening (at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) called Hearing Check on the Lexie smartphone application, which will be used to tune the hearing aids according to frequency and loudness level. Participants will be able to use two wheels to change the loudness and fine-tune the hearing aids. Participants will wear the hearing aids for four weeks.

Intervention B (hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ fitting)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Intervention B (hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ fitting)

Intervention Type DEVICE

The intervention offered is a hearing aid fitting with the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids using the in-situ audiometry fitting strategy. The hearing aids will be accompanied and operated with the Lexie smartphone application. Participants will complete an in-situ audiogram on the Lexie app, which enables the measurement of hearing thresholds through the hearing aids (at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz). The hearing aids will then be self-programmed according to the participant's in-situ audiogram with a proprietary fitting algorithm that is based on NAL-NL2. Participants will wear the hearing aids for four weeks.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Intervention A (hearing aid self-fitting with direct adjustment)

The intervention offered is a hearing aid fitting with the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids using a self-fitting strategy with direct adjustment. The hearing aids will be accompanied and operated with the Lexie smartphone application. Participants will complete a hearing screening (at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) called Hearing Check on the Lexie smartphone application, which will be used to tune the hearing aids according to frequency and loudness level. Participants will be able to use two wheels to change the loudness and fine-tune the hearing aids. Participants will wear the hearing aids for four weeks.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Intervention B (hearing aid self-fitting with in-situ fitting)

The intervention offered is a hearing aid fitting with the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids using the in-situ audiometry fitting strategy. The hearing aids will be accompanied and operated with the Lexie smartphone application. Participants will complete an in-situ audiogram on the Lexie app, which enables the measurement of hearing thresholds through the hearing aids (at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz). The hearing aids will then be self-programmed according to the participant's in-situ audiogram with a proprietary fitting algorithm that is based on NAL-NL2. Participants will wear the hearing aids for four weeks.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Adults (\>18 years) living in South Africa
2. Good English proficiency (measured using an online English proficiency test as well as self-report of English speaking competence)
3. Must have mild-to-moderate self-perceived hearing difficulties
4. Possession of a smartphone compatible with the Lexie app (iOS or Android)
5. Access to mobile data to operate the Lexie app
6. Must have transport to visit the initial and follow-up assessments

Exclusion Criteria

1. Normal hearing or self-perceived severe-to-profound hearing loss
2. Active outer or middle ear pathology
3. Poor English proficiency
4. Diagnosed cognitive impairment
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

hearX Group

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

De Wet Swanepoel

Scientific advisor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

De Wet Swanepoel

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

University of Pretoria

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

South Africa

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Bisgaard N, Zimmer S, Laureyns M, Groth J. A model for estimating hearing aid coverage world-wide using historical data on hearing aid sales. Int J Audiol. 2022 Oct;61(10):841-849. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1962551. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34428121 (View on PubMed)

Committee on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Health and Medicine Division; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Blazer DG, Domnitz S, Liverman CT, editors. Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2016 Sep 6. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367633/

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27280276 (View on PubMed)

De Sousa KC, Manchaiah V, Moore DR, Graham MA, Swanepoel W. Effectiveness of an Over-the-Counter Self-fitting Hearing Aid Compared With an Audiologist-Fitted Hearing Aid: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Jun 1;149(6):522-530. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.0376.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37052929 (View on PubMed)

Ferguson MA, Kitterick PT, Chong LY, Edmondson-Jones M, Barker F, Hoare DJ. Hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Sep 25;9(9):CD012023. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012023.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28944461 (View on PubMed)

Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-10-20/pdf/2021-22473.pdf

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Humes LE, Rogers SE, Quigley TM, Main AK, Kinney DL, Herring C. The Effects of Service-Delivery Model and Purchase Price on Hearing-Aid Outcomes in Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Audiol. 2017 Mar 1;26(1):53-79. doi: 10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0111.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28252160 (View on PubMed)

Keidser G, Convery E. Outcomes With a Self-Fitting Hearing Aid. Trends Hear. 2018 Jan-Dec;22:2331216518768958. doi: 10.1177/2331216518768958.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29716438 (View on PubMed)

Manchaiah V, Taylor B, Dockens AL, Tran NR, Lane K, Castle M, Grover V. Applications of direct-to-consumer hearing devices for adults with hearing loss: a review. Clin Interv Aging. 2017 May 18;12:859-871. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S135390. eCollection 2017.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28553093 (View on PubMed)

Sabin AT, Van Tasell DJ, Rabinowitz B, Dhar S. Validation of a Self-Fitting Method for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. Trends Hear. 2020 Jan-Dec;24:2331216519900589. doi: 10.1177/2331216519900589.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32003285 (View on PubMed)

Swanepoel W, Oosthuizen I, Graham MA, Manchaiah V. Comparing Hearing Aid Outcomes in Adults Using Over-the-Counter and Hearing Care Professional Service Delivery Models. Am J Audiol. 2023 Jun;32(2):314-322. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJA-22-00130. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36876936 (View on PubMed)

World Health Organization. (2021). World report on hearing. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Knoetze M, Manchaiah V, De Sousa K, Moore DR, Swanepoel W. Comparing Self-Fitting Strategies for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Crossover Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Sep 1;150(9):784-791. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.2007.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39052241 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

LexieB2PoweredbyBose

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Fitting Strategy Study
NCT04972162 COMPLETED NA
Understanding Individual Listening Strategies
NCT06962540 ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION NA