Hearing Aid Signal Processing for Alzheimer's Disease

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Pam Souza, PhD

Research Sponsored by Northwestern University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Normal or corrected to normal vision (20/40 binocular vision or unaided using a Snellen chart)

Sensorineural hearing loss with pure-tone thresholds 25-70 dB HL at octave frequencies between 500 and 3000 Hz and a 4 frequency (.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz) pure-tone average of greater than or equal to 30 dB in each ear

Must not have

Conductive hearing loss pathology, congenital hearing loss, or fluctuating hearing loss

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up change from baseline to final appointment in each hearing aid condition will be assessed. participants will take an unaided baseline at the start of the trial. measure will be repeated at the end of each intervention (3-5 weeks after each fitting).

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing different signal processing strategies for hearing aids to see which one works better for people with Alzheimer's dementia.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for older adults with Alzheimer's dementia or its precursor, amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Participants must speak English, have normal vision or corrected-to-normal vision, sensorineural hearing loss within specific parameters, and a certain level of cognitive function. They should live at home and be able to consent to the study.

What is being tested?

The study tests two types of signal manipulation in hearing aids: one with high levels of alteration and another with low levels. It aims to determine which strategy benefits those with Alzheimer's dementia more by providing clearer sound without too much processing.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves non-invasive interventions related to hearing aid technology, side effects are minimal but may include discomfort from wearing the devices or challenges adapting to new auditory experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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My vision is normal or corrected to normal (20/40).

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I have moderate hearing loss in both ears.

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I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or mild memory loss with a MoCA score of at least 18.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have hearing loss that is present from birth or changes in severity.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ change from baseline to final appointment ineach hearing aid condition will be assessed. participants will take an unaided baseline at the start of the trial. measure will be repeated at the end of each intervention (3-5 weeks after each fitting).

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~change from baseline to final appointment ineach hearing aid condition will be assessed. participants will take an unaided baseline at the start of the trial. measure will be repeated at the end of each intervention (3-5 weeks after each fitting).

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change from baseline to final appointment ineach hearing aid condition will be assessed. participants will take an unaided baseline at the start of the trial. measure will be repeated at the end of each intervention (3-5 weeks after each fitting). for reporting.