Hearing health care for individuals with cognitive impairment
HEARS-SLP: Providing Speech Language Pathologist-Delivered Hearing Health Care to Individuals With Cognitive Impairment
This study is testing a new hearing care program for older adults with cognitive impairment, like Alzheimer's, to see if it helps them hear better with the support of a speech-language pathologist and their caregiver.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06008782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This intervention focuses on providing hearing rehabilitative care delivered by a speech-language pathologist to individuals aged 60 to 100 with cognitive impairment, specifically those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias. The study builds on the HEARS model, which integrates audiology with community health support, aiming to create an affordable and accessible program. Participants will receive the HEARS-SLP device and program, with the involvement of a caregiver to ensure proper oversight during the study. The primary goal is to assess the effectiveness of this approach in improving hearing health among the target population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking individuals aged 60 to 100 living at home with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia and a caregiver available for support.
Not a fit: Patients currently using hearing aids or those with medical contraindications to hearing aid use may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with cognitive impairment by improving their hearing health.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing similar community health worker models have shown promise, suggesting that this approach may be effective, though this specific intervention is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60 - 100 years old * English-speaking * Lives at home * Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease or other related dementia according to the core clinical criteria outlined in the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Alzheimer's Association Guidelines * Availability of caregiver/study partner to participate in all study-related visits and who provides ≥8 hours of weekly oversight/care * Speech frequency pure tone average (0.5- 4 kHz) \>25 db in the better-hearing ear; adult onset hearing loss * Stable (for 2 weeks or longer) dosing of medication (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics) for neuropsychiatric symptoms Exclusion Criteria: * Current self-reported use of hearing aid or amplification device * Medical contraindication to use hearing aids ( e.g. draining ears) * Inability to participate in the 1-month follow up
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Esther Oh, MD, PhD — Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Carrie L Nieman, MD, MPH
- Email: cnieman1@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-502-6965
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.