Group Singing for Hearing Loss

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+6 other locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Toronto Metropolitan University

Must not be taking: Anti-arrhythmics

Disqualifiers: Hearing aid use, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Unaddressed age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults, typified by negative consequences for speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. There is promising evidence that group singing may enhance speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. However, there is a lack of robust evidence, primarily due to the literature being based on small sample sizes, single site studies, and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Hence, to address these concerns, this SingWell Project study utilizes an appropriate sample size, multisite, randomized controlled trial approach, with a robust preplanned statistical analysis. The objective of the study is to explore if group singing may improve speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss. The investigators designed an international, multisite, randomized controlled trial to explore the benefits of group singing for adults aged 60 years and older with unaddressed hearing loss. After undergoing an eligibility screening process and completing an information and consent form, the investigators intend to recruit 210 participants that will be randomly assigned to either group singing or an audiobook club (control group) intervention for a training period of 12-weeks. The study has multiple timepoints for testing, that are broadly categorized as macro (i.e., pre- and post-measures across the 12-weeks), or micro timepoints (i.e., pre- and post-measures across a weekly training session). Macro measures include behavioural measures of speech and music perception, and psychosocial questionnaires. Micro measures include psychosocial questionnaires and heart-rate variability. The investigators hypothesize that group singing may be effective at improving speech perception and psychosocial outcomes for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss-more so than participants in the control group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use a pacemaker or take anti-arrhythmic medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Group Singing for Hearing Loss?

Research shows that participating in group audiologic rehabilitation classes, which include communication strategies and auditory training, can help people with hearing loss use communication strategies more effectively and feel less handicapped by their hearing loss. This suggests that group activities like singing, which also involve auditory and vocal training, might offer similar benefits.

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How is group singing treatment different from other treatments for hearing loss?

Group singing treatment is unique because it uses music and singing in a group setting to potentially improve hearing and communication skills, unlike traditional treatments that might focus on medical or technological interventions. This approach may enhance social interaction and quality of life by engaging participants in a communal and enjoyable activity.

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Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 60 and older with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who don't currently use a hearing aid or similar devices. They should be able to understand English, Dutch, or German depending on the study site location, have no significant cognitive issues (score ≥ 24 on MoCA-H), not use pacemakers or certain heart medications, and not be engaged in regular music learning or audiobook clubs.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not use a pacemaker or take heart rhythm medications.

I haven't been actively learning music or participating in audiobook clubs this past year.

Unaddressed hearing loss (participants must not currently use a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or assistive listening device)

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to either group singing or audiobook club intervention for a 12-week training period

12 weeks

12 visits (in-person, weekly)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing after the intervention

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Participant Groups

The study tests if group singing can improve speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing in older adults with unaddressed hearing loss compared to an audiobook club control group. Participants will join one of these activities for 12 weeks, with their speech perception and wellbeing measured before and after this period.

Group I: Group Singing Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

12 week group singing program consisting of 1.5 hours of in-person choir instruction per week.

Group II: Audiobook Club Active Control 1 Intervention

12 week group program consisting of 1.5 hours of in-person audiobook club discussion per week.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA

Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto, Canada

Memorial University of Newfoundland Saint John's, Canada

Concordia University Montréal, Canada

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Toronto Metropolitan University Lead Sponsor

University of Southern California Collaborator

Flinders University Collaborator

Concordia University, Montreal Collaborator

University of Oldenburg Collaborator

University of Nottingham Collaborator

Memorial University of Newfoundland Collaborator

University of Groningen Collaborator

Bionics Institute Collaborator

The Bionics Institute of Australia Collaborator

References

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

Should significant others be encouraged to join adult group audiologic rehabilitation classes? [2022] The benefit of participation in group audiologic rehabilitation classes was examined for adults with hearing loss (subjects) and their significant others (SOs). Thirteen subjects attended the classes with their SOs, and 12 subjects attended the classes on their own. All subjects attended six 90-minute classes consisting of informational lectures, and training in communication strategies, auditory perception, and auditory and visual perception. Self-assessment scales measuring hearing aid benefit and use of communication strategies were completed prior to class participation and following the completion of all classes. The results indicated that the majority of subjects reported increased use of communication strategies following class participation. In addition, a significant reduction in hearing handicap following class participation was measured across all subjects and SOs, and the greatest reduction in handicap was measured for subjects who attended the classes with their SOs. SO participation in group AR (audiologic rehabilitation) classes should be encouraged.

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

Short- and long-term outcomes of adult audiological rehabilitation. [2019] To examine short- and long-term subjective benefits of providing a counseling-oriented audiological rehabilitation (AR) program as an adjunct to hearing aid intervention for individuals with adult-onset hearing loss.

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

The effects of intervention strategy on self-perception of hearing handicap. [2022] The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a counseling-based aural rehabilitation program would result in greater reduction of self-perceived hearing handicap than hearing aid use alone. Thirty-one postlingually hearing-impaired adults were placed into three groups after audiological evaluation. The first group received hearing aids and participated in a counseling-based aural rehabilitation (AR) program. The second group received hearing aids only. The third group received neither hearing aids nor counseling-based AR. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly was administered to all subjects before audiological evaluation and again to all subjects 2 mo after receipt of hearing aids for the experimental groups. For both experimental groups, self-perception of hearing handicap was significantly reduced as a function of intervention when measured on any of the three Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly scales, whereas there was no change in self-perception of hearing handicap for the control group on any scale. In addition, there was weak but significant evidence that participating in the counseling-based AR program in addition to hearing aid use resulted in a greater reduction of self-perceived hearing handicap than did hearing aid use alone.

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Normative Values for the Inner EAR Scale. [2023] To determine normative values for the Inner Effectiveness of Auditory Rehabilitation (Inner EAR) scale, a validated instrument utilized to study the impact of hearing loss and potential treatments.

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

Single-Sided Deafness-Outcomes of Three Interventions for Profound Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2021] A comparison of three interventions for profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

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

Voice Therapy Outcome-A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Individual Voice Therapy, Therapy in Group, and Controls Without Therapy. [2021] A stumbling-block in voice therapy is how the patient will be able to apply the new voice technique in everyday life. Possibly this generalization process could be facilitated by giving voice therapy in group because of the natural forum for training voice-to-speech early in communication between the patients in a group setting. The aim of the study was to compare treatment results from individual voice therapy and voice therapy in group, at several time points and in comparison to patients with no voice therapy.

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Singing in groups for Parkinson's disease (SING-PD): a pilot study of group singing therapy for PD-related voice/speech disorders. [2012] Parkinson's disease related speech and voice impairment have significant impact on quality of life measures. LSVT(®)LOUD voice and speech therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy) has demonstrated scientific efficacy and clinical effectiveness, but musically based voice and speech therapy has been underexplored as a potentially useful method of rehabilitation. We undertook a pilot, open-label study of a group-based singing intervention, consisting of twelve 90-min weekly sessions led by a voice and speech therapist/singing instructor. The primary outcome measure of vocal loudness as measured by sound pressure level (SPL) at 50 cm during connected speech was not significantly different one week after the intervention or at 13 weeks after the intervention. A number of secondary measures reflecting pitch range, phonation time and maximum loudness also were unchanged. Voice related quality of life (VRQOL) and voice handicap index (VHI) also were unchanged. This study suggests that a group singing therapy intervention at this intensity and frequency does not result in significant improvement in objective and subject-rated measures of voice and speech impairment.

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conceptualizing how group singing may enhance quality of life with Parkinson's disease. [2014] Abstract Purpose: Group singing could be a promising component of neurorehabilitative care. This article aims to conceptualize how group singing may enable people with Parkinson's disease (PD) to synchronize their movement patterns to musical rhythm and enhance quality of life.

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

Multidimensional Assessment of the Effectiveness of Group Voice Therapy. [2018] Group voice therapy has been successfully used in patients with dysphonia, but there is little objectively documented evidence of its effects on voice quality and the self-perception of voice fatigue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group therapy in patients with functional dysphonia and minor anatomic vocal fold pathologies linked by appearance and history to voice use in an objective and multidimensional manner.

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group music therapy in multiple sclerosis: initial report of experience]. [2006] Group music therapy is a special kind of psychotherapeutic treatment. Within two years 225 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) had the opportunity to participate a music therapy group over 4-6 weeks after admission to a MS-clinic. The major topics which were chosen in group sessions were MS associated problems such as disability, uncertainty, anxiety, depression, loss of self esteem etc. The data suggests that group music therapy is a useful adjunct not only in actual psychological support but also in the individual coping strategies.