Improving hearing in noisy environments for hearing aid users
Improving Spatial Perception and Speech Understanding in Multitalker Mixtures
This study is testing different ways to help hearing aid users understand speech better in noisy places and see how different hearing aid styles affect their ability to hear sounds around them.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston University Charles River Campus Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05260307 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates various methods to enhance spatial perception and speech intelligibility for hearing-aid users in multitalker situations. It includes three main aims: evaluating different amplification strategies for high-frequency audibility, exploring a speech enhancement algorithm's effects on spatial hearing, and assessing how different hearing-aid styles influence sound externalization. The study will involve both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects across multiple experiments to determine the effectiveness of these approaches.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 to 80 with documented sensorineural hearing loss or normal hearing.
Not a fit: Patients who are non-native English speakers may not benefit from this study due to language comprehension requirements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve the ability of hearing-aid users to understand speech in noisy environments.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in improving speech intelligibility and spatial hearing in similar contexts, suggesting this approach may yield beneficial results.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Normal-Hearing Subjects * 18 to 35 years of age * Audiometric thresholds that do not exceed 20 dB HL at any frequency from 250 to 8000 Hz * Able to provide informed consent and understand experimental instructions * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision Inclusion Criteria: Hearing-Impaired Subjects * 18 to 80 years of age * Documented sensorineural hearing loss * Able to provide informed consent and understand experimental instructions * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision Exclusion Criteria (some experiments) * Non-native speakers of English
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Virginia A Best, PhD — Boston University
- Study coordinator: Virginia A Best, PhD
- Email: ginbest@bu.edu
- Phone: (617) 353-2622
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.