Hearing care for adults in rural communities
Hearing Healthcare Assessment in Rural Communities (HHARC)
This project helps adults in rural areas get hearing tests, information, and support through their local rural health clinics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137799 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a program that works with Rural Health Clinics to understand how people in your community currently get hearing care and what gets in the way. The team will collect information from clinics and patients, then design a culturally appropriate patient navigation program to guide people to education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. That navigation program will be piloted and adjusted using feedback from patients and clinic staff to better fit rural needs. The goal is to make it easier for rural adults to find and use hearing services near where they live.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults age 21 and older who live in rural or Appalachian communities and receive care at participating Rural Health Clinics, especially those who have hearing concerns or limited access to hearing services.
Not a fit: People who live in urban areas, children, or adults who already have comprehensive hearing care through other providers are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for rural adults to get timely hearing tests, diagnoses, follow-up care, and devices, improving communication and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Navigation and clinic-based screening programs have helped improve care in other rural health areas, but using a tailored patient navigation approach specifically for rural hearing healthcare is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bush, Matthew Lee — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Bush, Matthew Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.