Hidden Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Can aging ears process speech in noise and do the brain’s systems help
Official title: Hidden Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Mechanisms of Speech-in-noise Perception Deficits and Associated Central Compensation
Run by Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University · NCT07646119 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This observational study tests whether older adults with normal hearing but difficulty understanding speech in noise have trouble processing rapid temporal cues and whether brain mechanisms help compensate.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07646119 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 60+ with normal hearing thresholds (0.5–4 kHz PTA ≤ 25 dB HL) who self-report difficulties understanding speech in noise and are fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with significant hearing loss or neurological conditions may not experience direct benefits from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study will enroll community-dwelling adults aged 60 and above with normal pure-tone hearing but self-reported difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings. Participants will undergo comprehensive audiological tests, neurophysiological assessments, behavioral evaluations, and neuroimaging to characterize how temporal processing relates to speech-in-noise performance. The researchers will explore potential central compensatory brain mechanisms and how they may differ between individuals. Demographic, lifestyle, and health data will also be collected to identify factors that influence outcomes. The project is observational and aims to clarify peripheral and central contributors to hidden hearing loss in aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of speech-in-noise difficulties in older adults and guide future diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that age-related auditory processing and central compensation may play roles in speech perception in noise, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 60 years or older; 2. Bilateral pure-tone average hearing thresholds across 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≤ 25 dB HL; 3. Self-reported hearing difficulties identified during previous hearing screening; 4. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese; 5. No history of otologic disease, ear trauma, ototoxic medication history, or long-term noise exposure; 6. No known neurological or psychiatric disorders, or other major medical conditions that may affect nervous system function. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unable to comply with or complete the study assessments; 2. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \< 24 during previous health screening; 3. Refuse to participate in the study
Where it's running
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Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rong Tian
- Email: rongtian_7@163.com
- Phone: 86+13718339118
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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.