Investigating speechreading skills and facial expressions in children with and without hearing impairment
Eyes On Lips? - Identifying Optimal Gaze Patterns and Support Obtained From Facial Expressions in Enhancing Speechreading Skills in Children With and Without Impaired Hearing
This study is testing how children with hearing loss and those without can read lips and understand facial expressions, while also trying out a new app to help improve their speechreading skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 155 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oulu Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oulu) |
| Trial ID | NCT05854719 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to explore the role of background factors and gaze patterns in children's speechreading abilities, comparing those with hearing impairment to normally hearing peers. Participants will undergo various linguistic and cognitive tests, including speechreading assessments with and without eye-tracking technology. The study will also evaluate the effectiveness of a speechreading training application designed for children with hearing loss. By analyzing the data, researchers hope to develop a better understanding of how gaze behavior and emotional expression recognition impact speechreading performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Finnish-speaking children aged 8-11 years, both with and without hearing impairment, who are typically developing and have normal vision.
Not a fit: Children with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance speechreading training methods for children with hearing impairment, improving their communication skills.
How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored aspects of speechreading and gaze behavior, this specific approach combining technology and emotional expression is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Normally hearing children: * age 8-11 years * being born full-term (on 37. gestational week or later) * Finnish speaking (Finnish is the language the child's family uses at home, the child goes to a school where Finnish is used as the language of instruction) * normal hearing and vision * typically developing, mainstream education curriculum at school * for those tested remotely: computer available at home for remote testing Children with hearing impairment/loss: * age 8-11 years * diagnosed bilateral hearing impairment * being born full-term (on 37. gestational week or later) * Finnish speaking (Finnish is the language the child's family uses at home, the child goes to a school where Finnish is used as the language of instruction) * normal vision * (mainly) typically developing * for those tested remotely: computer available at home for remote testing Exclusion Criteria: Normally hearing children: psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperacitivity Disorder) Children with hearing impairment/loss: psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders (excluding ADHD if medication helps the child to concentrate well during testing)
Where this trial is running
Oulu
- University of Oulu — Oulu, Finland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kerttu Huttunen, PhD — University of Oulu, Finland
- Study coordinator: Kerttu Huttunen, PhD
- Email: kerttu.huttunen@oulu.fi
- Phone: +358504776610
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.