Investigating how early hearing aid use affects benefits for older adults with hearing loss
Official title: Early intervention as a determinant of hearing aid benefit for age-related hearing loss: Results from longitudinal cohort studies
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10906021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using hearing aids early can help people aged 65 and older feel better, communicate better, and think better, so they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $83,932 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DC021078-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are experiencing age-related hearing loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have age-related hearing loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and aims to understand how early intervention with hearing aids can improve long-term outcomes for individuals aged 65 and older. By analyzing data from a longitudinal cohort study, the research will assess the impact of hearing aid use on psychosocial well-being, communication, and cognitive function. Participants will be evaluated to determine if starting to use hearing aids earlier leads to better overall health and quality of life. The study seeks to provide insights that could help optimize hearing aid benefits for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved hearing aid recommendations and interventions that enhance the quality of life for older adults with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early intervention with hearing aids can lead to better outcomes, but this study aims to provide more comprehensive longitudinal data on the subject.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dillard, Lauren Kay — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Dillard, Lauren Kay
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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.