Do hearing aids help people understand speech and reduce listening effort?
Official title: Speech Understanding and Listening Effort Benefits of Infinio Sphere
Run by Sonova AG · NCT07116135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test different hearing aids in adults with bilateral hearing loss to see if they improve speech understanding and make listening less tiring.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 95 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sonova AG Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 1 site (Tampa, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 5, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2025 |
| Study ends | December 2025 |
| Registry record updated | August 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07116135 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults age 18–95 with bilateral N3 or N4 hearing loss who are experienced hearing-aid users, fluent in English, and able to complete complex listening tasks are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with normal hearing, those outside the age or language requirements, individuals unable to complete complex listening tasks, or those who are not experienced hearing-aid users are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Experienced adult hearing-aid users with bilateral N3 or N4 hearing loss will wear different hearing instruments and complete controlled, lab-based listening tasks. Researchers will measure speech-understanding performance, objective and subjective listening effort, and participants' device preferences. Testing occurs in-person with repeated comparisons across devices to identify consistent differences. The protocol aims to link specific device features or models to measurable improvements in understanding and reduced listening fatigue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help people and clinicians choose hearing aids that improve speech understanding and reduce listening fatigue.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown some hearing aid technologies can improve speech understanding and lower listening effort, but head-to-head laboratory comparisons across multiple models are still limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult 18-95 years * N3 or N4 hearing loss * Experienced hearing aid user * English fluency * Cognitively able to complete complex listening tasks Exclusion Criteria: * Outside of specified age range * Vulnerable populations * Hearing within normal limits or otherwise not appropriate for hearing instruments under study * Inability to read, write, or speak English * Inability to complete complex listening tasks
Where it's running
-
University of South Florida Auditory Neurosciences & Technology Lab
Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Study Coordinator
- Email: ant-lab@usf.edu
- Phone: 813-974-4148
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Spatial Cues, Task Demands, and Auditory Attention in Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants
This study tests how spatial hearing cues and task demands affect listening and attention in people with normal hearing and those with bilateral cochlear implants.
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This study will try using shape coding visual supports to help 5th–8th grade children who are deaf or hard of hearing and use spoken English and ASL write sentences more accurately.
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This study is testing two different ways to check hearing in preschool children to see which method works better for finding hearing loss early and helping kids who might struggle with speech and language.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.