Hearing Rehabilitation Strategies for Hearing Loss

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by David Friedmann, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Hearing aids, Cochlear implants

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

During a primary care visit, investigators will screen and identify participants with hearing loss and then randomize to a) counseling on accessible assistive listening devices or b) referral to traditional audiology care pathway alone.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Counseling on accessible assistive listening devices for hearing loss?

Research suggests that counseling plays a crucial role in helping patients effectively use hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, which can improve communication and reduce feelings of isolation. Effective counseling involves building a strong patient-provider relationship and using techniques like Motivational Interviewing to enhance treatment adherence. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is hearing rehabilitation generally safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for hearing rehabilitation strategies, but these treatments, including counseling and assistive listening devices, are generally considered safe as they are non-invasive and focus on improving communication and hearing aid use. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is the treatment 'Counseling on accessible assistive listening devices' different from other hearing loss treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines counseling on assistive listening devices with traditional audiology care, focusing on building a patient-centered relationship to improve adherence to hearing aid use, unlike treatments that rely solely on technology. ^{1 7 9 10 11}

Research Team

David Friedmann, MD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English or Spanish speakers who can consent to research and have hearing loss. It's not for those who already use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak English or Spanish.

I am able to understand and agree to participate in research.

Exclusion Criteria

Has or uses hearing aids or cochlear implants

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomized to either counseling on accessible assistive listening devices or referral to traditional audiology care pathway

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Counseling on accessible assistive listening devices (Behavioral Intervention)
• Referral to traditional audiology care pathway alone (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests two ways to help with hearing loss in a primary care setting: one group gets counseling on assistive listening devices, while the other follows standard audiology care.

Participant Groups

Group I: Alternative Rehabilitation Strategies Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients who screened positive for hearing loss and were randomized into the counselling on alternative rehabilitation strategies intervention arm.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients who screened positive for hearing loss and were randomized into the usual care audiology pathway control arm alone.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

NYC H+H/Bellevue New York, NY

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1431

Patients Recruited

838,000+

Findings from Research

Building a strong, patient-centered relationship during the initial evaluation is crucial for encouraging patients with hearing loss to use hearing aids effectively.

Training healthcare professionals in specific counseling skills, such as Motivational Interviewing and the Teach-Back Method, can significantly improve patient adherence to hearing aid recommendations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing Foundational Counseling Skills for Addressing Adherence Issues in Auditory Rehabilitation. Johnson, CE., Jilla, AM., Danhauer, JL.[2020]

A randomized controlled trial will assess the effectiveness of an internet-based counseling program using a 'patient journey' model for 158 participants with self-reported hearing disability, focusing on outcomes like hearing disability, depression, and anxiety.

If successful, this counseling approach could provide a cost-effective and time-efficient method for managing hearing disabilities, enhancing the support for individuals navigating their hearing loss journey.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of the 'patient journey' model in the internet-based pre-fitting counseling of a person with hearing disability: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Manchaiah, VK., Stephens, D., Andersson, G., et al.[2021]

A survey of 205 clinical supervisors in audiology graduate programs revealed that while 88% of programs require a counseling course, there is variability in how counseling skills are taught and assessed, indicating a need for more standardized training methods.

Supervisors with more experience reported greater confidence in teaching counseling skills, particularly in discussing emotional topics with clients, suggesting that mentorship and experience play a crucial role in developing effective counseling instruction for audiology students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching Counseling Skills in Audiology Graduate Programs: Clinical Supervisors' Perceptions and Practices. Muñoz, K., Landon, T., Corbin-Lewis, K.[2020]

A survey of audiology faculty from 40 ASHA-accredited colleges revealed gaps in the aural rehabilitation training provided to graduate students, particularly in areas like cochlear implants and vestibular disorders.

The findings aim to highlight deficiencies in current training programs, which could help improve the education and preparedness of future audiologists working with hearing-impaired patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aural rehabilitation and graduate audiology programs. Sykes, S., Tucker, D., Herr, D.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing Foundational Counseling Skills for Addressing Adherence Issues in Auditory Rehabilitation. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nontraditional 'aids' to hearing: assistive listening devices. [2004]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of the 'patient journey' model in the internet-based pre-fitting counseling of a person with hearing disability: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching Counseling Skills in Audiology Graduate Programs: Clinical Supervisors' Perceptions and Practices. [2020]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

APSO Standards: Implementing Hearing Aid Needs Assessments and Measuring Related Outcomes. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Counseling Competencies in Audiology: A Modified Delphi Study. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aural rehabilitation and graduate audiology programs. [2020]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Questionnaire Survey of Current Rehabilitation Practices for Adults With Normal Hearing Sensitivity Who Experience Auditory Difficulties. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short- and long-term outcomes of adult audiological rehabilitation. [2019]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Price reductions in hearing aids and access to audiologists, Israel. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of counseling-based adult group aural rehabilitation programs: a systematic review of the evidence. [2020]