New ways to provide over-the-counter hearing aids for age-related hearing loss
Official title: Emerging Service Delivery Models for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11055345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at different ways to help older adults with hearing loss get over-the-counter hearing aids, whether that's with a professional's help, through remote consultations, or by fitting them on their own, to find out which method works best for making hearing aids easier to access and use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $640,024 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021653-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over the age of 21 experiencing age-related hearing loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss due to non-age-related factors or those who do not wish to use hearing aids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates innovative service delivery models for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids aimed at improving access for individuals with age-related hearing loss. It explores three different approaches: fitting OTC hearing aids with the help of a hearing care professional, remote consultations for fitting, and self-fitting without professional support. By evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of these models, the research aims to identify the best methods to increase the uptake of hearing aids among those who need them. The study will assess factors such as cost, accessibility, and user experience to determine how these new models can better serve patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of individuals with age-related hearing loss who use hearing aids, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in similar approaches to improving access to hearing aids, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manchaiah, Vinaya — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Manchaiah, Vinaya
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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.