3D-printed versus standard hearing-aid ear tips for comfort, fit, and sound
Effectiveness Comparison of 3D-Printed and Conventional Ear Tip Comfort in Individuals With Hearing in the Normal Range
This study will test whether 3D-printed hearing-aid ear tips work as well as or better than standard ear tips for adults with normal hearing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Arizona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tucson, Arizona) |
| Trial ID | NCT07216937 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with normal hearing and healthy ear exams will try behind-the-ear hearing aids fitted with either 3D-printed or conventional ear tips during clinic visits. Researchers will compare sound quality, comfort, and fit using participant ratings and routine acoustic checks. The study will also record how long each method takes to produce and the associated costs. All testing takes place at the University of Arizona Hearing Clinic.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with normal hearing thresholds, normal otoscopy, and English fluency who have no history of significant outer or middle ear disease are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with active or extensive outer or middle ear pathology, prior extensive ear surgery, cognitive or neurological disorders, or those with hearing loss may not benefit from the results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, 3D-printed ear tips could lower costs and shorten wait times for comfortable, well-fitting hearing-aid fittings.
How similar studies have performed: Small-scale work and commercial use have shown 3D printing can produce accurate earmolds, but direct head-to-head comparisons of comfort and sound quality are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Normal hearing thresholds (\<25 dB HL) at octave frequencies from 250-8000Hz. * Normal otoscopy: patent ear canals with normal appearing eardrums and aerated middle ear, bilaterally. * English speaking. Exclusion Criteria: * history of extensive or current outer or middle ear pathology. * history of extensive outer or middle ear surgery. * history of neurological or cognitive disorder.
Where this trial is running
Tucson, Arizona
- The University of Arizona Hearing Clinic — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bryan Wong, AuD, PhD
- Email: bryanwong@arizona.edu
- Phone: 520-626-8549
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.