Link between LS CE‑Chirp ABR signals and speech‑in‑noise ability in hidden hearing loss
Investigation of the Relationship Between LS Chirp ABR and Comprehension In Noise Skills In Individuals With Suspected Hidden Hearing Loss
This project will test whether LS CE‑Chirp–evoked auditory brainstem responses relate to how well adults with normal hearing thresholds but trouble in noise understand speech on the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT).
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 63 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07230236 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will recruit adults with normal pure‑tone thresholds who either report chronic tinnitus or have listening complaints, plus a control group without auditory complaints. Participants will undergo objective LS CE‑Chirp ABR recording to measure wave I, III, and V amplitudes and latencies, and the Hearing in Noise Test to determine critical signal‑to‑noise ratios. The study will analyze relationships between ABR amplitude/latency metrics (including I/V ratios) and HINT SNR performance to identify electrophysiological correlates of cochlear synaptopathy. Data collection is performed in person at the study site and no interventional treatments are given.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 20–60 with bilateral normal pure‑tone averages (≤25 dB HL), able to score ≥21 on the MoCA, and who either report chronic tinnitus or difficulty understanding speech in noise are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with measurable peripheral or central hearing loss, active emotional or neurological conditions that interfere with testing, somatosensory tinnitus, or those outside the 20–60 age range are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help provide an objective test to identify cochlear synaptopathy in people who have normal audiograms but difficulty hearing in noise, improving diagnosis and guiding management.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal and human studies have linked reduced ABR Wave I amplitude and altered I/V ratios with cochlear synaptopathy and poorer speech‑in‑noise performance, but human results are mixed and application of LS CE‑Chirp ABR for this purpose is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria (Control group): * Being between 20 and 60 years of age, * Having bilateral pure-tone audiometry averages (500-1000-2000-4000 Hz) within the normal range (≤25 dB HL), * Having no tinnitus or auditory complaints, * Scoring 21 or above on the MoCA test, * Having no emotional or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests. Exclusion Criteria (Control group): * Presence of peripheral and/or central hearing loss, * Presence of somatosensory tinnitus, * Presence of emotional and/or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests. Inclusion Criteria (First study group): * Being between 20 and 60 years of age, * Having bilateral pure-tone audiometry averages (500-1000-2000-4000 Hz) within the normal range (≤25 dB HL), * Having a chronic tinnitus complaint (≥3 months), * Scoring 21 or above on the MoCA test, * Having no emotional or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests. Exclusion Criteria (First study group): * Presence of peripheral and/or central hearing loss, * Presence of somatosensory tinnitus, * Presence of emotional and/or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests. Inclusion Criteria (Second study group): * Being between 20 and 60 years of age, * Having bilateral pure-tone audiometry averages (500-1000-2000-4000 Hz) within the normal range (≤25 dB HL), * Having no chronic tinnitus complaint, * Having an average score below 4.3 on the "Speech Perception" subscale of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), * Scoring 21 or above on the MoCA test, * Having no emotional or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests. Exclusion Criteria (Second study group): * Presence of peripheral and/or central hearing loss, * Presence of somatosensory tinnitus, * Presence of emotional and/or neurological problems that could interfere with the tests.
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Cem Yeral, MSc
- Email: cem.yeral@ogr.iuc.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 539 402 78 46
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.