OTC Hearing Aid and MCI

NCT ID: NCT06112860

Last Updated: 2025-09-19

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

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-07-23

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this study is to better understand if, in patients with mild to moderate hearing loss who are also experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids:

1. improve communication
2. Whether the magnitude of benefit depends on the patient's level of cognitive disability,
3. Whether alternative remediation (such as targeted communication strategies) offer similar benefits.

Participants and a communication partner will be randomized into an OTC first or Communication Strategies first arm, where participants will receive communication strategy information customized for those with cognitive impairment.

Detailed Description

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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.

Conditions

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Hearing Loss Mild Cognitive Impairment Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Those listening and scoring recorded tasks will be blinded to which group the participants are in.

Study Groups

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OTC Hearing Aid First

Participants will be provided a pair of OTC hearing aids (experimental) with typical directions and use for 4 weeks before outcome measures will be assessed. After which, participants will then receive the communication strategies information/counseling (control) and have outcome measures assessed after 4 weeks.

Group Type OTHER

Over the counter hearing aid

Intervention Type DEVICE

An over the counter hearing aid is a device that provides amplification appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Participants will receive the devices with typical directions and have one scheduled remote visit one week after receiving devices with an audiologist.

Communication Strategies Information/Counseling

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Communication Strategies provide information meant to help an individual compensate for hearing loss. The information provides tips both for the individual with hearing loss and for those communicating. People who choose not to pursue hearing aids will typically be given communication strategies information to help them manage their hearing loss. Participants will receive the counseling information in the mail and then have a 1 week follow-up appointment with an audiologist.

Communication Strategies First

Participants will receive the communication strategies information/counseling intervention (control) first. Outcome measures will be assessed at 4 weeks. After which, participants will then be given a pair of OTC hearing aids (experimental) with typical directions and use for four weeks before having outcome measures assessed.

Group Type OTHER

Over the counter hearing aid

Intervention Type DEVICE

An over the counter hearing aid is a device that provides amplification appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Participants will receive the devices with typical directions and have one scheduled remote visit one week after receiving devices with an audiologist.

Communication Strategies Information/Counseling

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Communication Strategies provide information meant to help an individual compensate for hearing loss. The information provides tips both for the individual with hearing loss and for those communicating. People who choose not to pursue hearing aids will typically be given communication strategies information to help them manage their hearing loss. Participants will receive the counseling information in the mail and then have a 1 week follow-up appointment with an audiologist.

Interventions

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Over the counter hearing aid

An over the counter hearing aid is a device that provides amplification appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Participants will receive the devices with typical directions and have one scheduled remote visit one week after receiving devices with an audiologist.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Communication Strategies Information/Counseling

Communication Strategies provide information meant to help an individual compensate for hearing loss. The information provides tips both for the individual with hearing loss and for those communicating. People who choose not to pursue hearing aids will typically be given communication strategies information to help them manage their hearing loss. Participants will receive the counseling information in the mail and then have a 1 week follow-up appointment with an audiologist.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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OTC hearing aid Communication Strategies

Eligibility Criteria

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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

1. 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.
2. 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
3. Positive history of major psychiatric disorder (i.e., schizophrenia, significant untreated depression)
4. Co-enrolled in other intervention studies targeting hearing, language, or communication strategies.
5. History or current fluctuating hearing loss
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

90 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Northwestern University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Pamela Souza

Professor, Otolaryngology; Communication Sciences and Disorders

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Pamela Souza, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Northwestern University

Locations

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Northwestern University HA Lab

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

La Crosse Mayo Clinic

La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

Site Status ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

UW Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Kendra Marks

Role: CONTACT

8474670897

Facility Contacts

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Kendra Marks

Role: primary

Kendra Marks

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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STU00219514

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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