Improving hearing care access for older Korean Americans
K-HEARS: Hearing Health Equity through Accessible Research and Solutions for Korean Americans
This study is all about helping older Korean Americans get better access to hearing care by using friendly community helpers who understand their culture and language, making it easier for them to learn about and use hearing aids and other resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10977070 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the barriers that older Korean Americans face in accessing hearing care, particularly due to language and cultural differences. It utilizes a peer educator model to deliver affordable and accessible hearing interventions, including over-the-counter hearing technology. The program is designed to be culturally responsive and is implemented through community organizations, aiming to improve health literacy and navigational skills among participants. By engaging community health workers, the project seeks to enhance the overall hearing health of this underserved population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older Korean Americans who experience hearing loss and may have limited access to traditional hearing care services.
Not a fit: Patients who are not of Korean descent or those who do not experience hearing loss may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve hearing health outcomes and quality of life for older Korean Americans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with community health worker models in improving access to care for underserved populations, indicating a promising approach for this research.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nieman, Carrie L — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Nieman, Carrie L
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.