Screening and telemedicine for childhood hearing loss in rural Alaska
Official title: North STAR Trial: Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) in Rural Alaska
Run by University of Arkansas · NCT05593484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a telemedicine program to see if it can help improve follow-up care for children with hearing loss in rural Alaska after they are screened at school.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 8060 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Arkansas Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Anchorage, Alaska) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2023 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05593484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this initiative are children enrolled in participating schools in rural Alaska who are typically screened for hearing loss.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not enrolled in the participating schools or are outside the targeted regions may not benefit 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
This initiative aims to address the high prevalence of childhood hearing loss in rural Alaska, primarily caused by infections. It utilizes a telemedicine intervention called Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) to improve follow-up care after school screenings. The project will be implemented in three regions of rural Alaska, leveraging stakeholder feedback and previous research to create a scalable model for diverse healthcare environments. The goal is to enhance access to specialists and reduce the incidence of untreated hearing loss among children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce childhood hearing loss in rural areas by improving access to timely specialist care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that telemedicine can effectively reduce loss to follow-up in similar contexts, indicating a promising approach for this initiative.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Enrolled in one of the participating schools in the 3 regions * Children from grades (K-12) that are typically screened within participating schools * Eligible regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity Exclusion Criteria: N/A
Where it's running
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Southcentral Foundation
Anchorage, Alaska, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Matthew Hirschfeld, MD,PhD — Vice President-Specialty Services, Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Native Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Susan Emmett, MD, MPH
- Email: sdemmett@uams.edu
- Phone: 5016031212
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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.