WhatsApp AI support vs paper support for first-time hearing aid users

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In a randomized trial conducted in community settings in South Africa, adults with mild to severe hearing loss receive preset hearing aids and are assigned to a WhatsApp-delivered AI-enabled support program or a traditional paper-based information package. The WhatsApp program combines a structured four-week sequence of 16 voice notes and images with an on-demand AI chat agent to answer questions. Outcome assessment is blinded and focuses on hearing aid self-efficacy five weeks after fitting. Participants must have WhatsApp access and commit to the follow-up period, with CHWs involved in fitting and recruitment. The study is led by the University of Pretoria with NIDCD collaboration and takes place in Atteridgeville and Khayelitsha communities.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years and older
* Confirmed mild to severe (20 to \< 80 dB PTA in both ears) hearing loss (determined during baseline assessments)
* Willing/available to commit to 5-week follow-up
* Must have access to their own personal WhatsApp
* Functional proficiency in English, isiXhosa, or Sepedi sufficient to provide informed consent and to self-complete the study outcome measures in one of these three languages, as judged by the recruiting CHW during the screening conversation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Younger than 18 years
* Hearing loss too severe (≥80 dB HL PTA)
* Normal hearing (\<20 dB HL PTA)
* Middle ear pathology, such as otitis media, active drainage from the ears.
* Unwilling/unavailable to commit to a 5-week follow-up.
* Unilateral hearing loss
* No access to WhatsApp/only has access via another individual's WhatsApp
* Home language other than English, isiXhosa, or Sepedi, where the individual does not have functional proficiency in any of these three languages.

Where it's running

• Atteridgeville Community
  Pretoria, Province, South Africa Recruiting
• Khayelitsha Community
  Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: De Wet Swanepoel, PhD Audiology — University of Pretoria
• Study coordinator: Caitlin Frisby, PhD Audiology
• Email: caitlin.frisby@up.ac.za
• Phone: +27 78 300 2511

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.