Understanding how context affects speech perception in people with normal and impaired hearing
Perception of Speech in Context by Listeners With Healthy and Impaired Hearing
This study tests how background sounds affect the ability of people with normal and impaired hearing to understand speech.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 680 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Marquette University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Minneapolis, Minnesota and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06465979 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research investigates how adjacent sounds influence the recognition of speech in individuals with both healthy and impaired hearing. Participants will listen to manipulated speech sounds in a controlled environment and indicate what they perceive, allowing researchers to analyze the impact of various acoustic properties on speech recognition. The study aims to bridge gaps in previous research by examining speech perception in context rather than in isolation, potentially leading to improved hearing aid and cochlear implant designs. The methodology includes careful manipulation of sound frequencies and temporal properties to assess their effects on word identification.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 65 who can recognize spoken English and have specific audiometric thresholds indicating normal or mild hearing loss.
Not a fit: Patients with significant hearing loss beyond the specified thresholds or those unable to recognize spoken English may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the design of hearing aids and cochlear implants, improving speech recognition for individuals with hearing impairments.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on speech perception, this approach of examining context in speech recognition is relatively novel and may provide new insights.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be able to recognize spoken words in English * Be a competent speaker of north American English * Be an adult between the age of 18 to 65 years * Have normal audiometric thresholds below 25 decibels hearing loss (dB HL) at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz OR have audiometric thresholds not exceeding 40 dB HL at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz OR have audiometric thresholds not exceeding 55 dB HL at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz OR use a cochlear implant * Lack language-learning or other cognitive disabilities Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to recognize spoken words in English * Not a competent speaker of north American English * Be younger than 18 years of age * Be older than 65 years of age * Have normal audiometric thresholds exceeding 25 dB HL at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz OR have audiometric thresholds exceeding 40 dB HL at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz OR have audiometric thresholds exceeding 55 dB HL at frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz * Language-learning or other cognitive disabilities
Where this trial is running
Minneapolis, Minnesota and 1 other locations
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (Recruiting)
- Marquette University — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christian Stilp, PhD — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Christian Stilp, PhD
- Email: christian.stilp@marquette.edu
- Phone: 4142881455
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.