Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Every year, approximately 100,000 Veterans seek help at VA Audiology clinics for hearing and communication difficulties only to learn that they have normal hearing sensitivity. Unfortunately, there are very few established options to improve hearing and listening for these patients. To address this need, audiologists are increasingly prescribing hearing aids set to provide a small amount of amplification. Patients may benefit from the amplification or from modern hearing aid features such as noise reduction technology and the ability to stream sounds from a desired sound source directly to their ears thus reducing the background noise. This project will help to determine if prescribing hearing aids to patients without hearing loss is, in fact, beneficial and if so, why. It will also help to determine if some patients benefit more from hearing aids than others so that in the future, rehabilitation strategies can be better targeted toward individuals.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for Veterans with normal hearing sensitivity who still experience communication difficulties. They must be eligible for VA Healthcare, able to visit the VA Portland Medical Center often, and have a moderate to significant perceived hearing handicap but no major ear problems or severe hearing loss.Exclusion Criteria
I have hearing loss or ear problems.
English is not my first language.
I cannot do the tasks required in the study.
Treatment Details
The study tests if using hearing aids can help veterans without hearing loss by providing slight amplification or features like noise reduction and sound streaming. It also includes communication counseling and remote microphones to see which methods are most beneficial.
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Hearing Aids with Remote MicrophonesExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Individuals randomized to this group will receive communication counseling as well as hearing aids set to provide a low level of amplification and remote microphones that can be used in some situations to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Group II: Hearing AidsExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Individuals randomized to this group will receive communication counseling as well as hearing aids set to provide a low level of amplification.
Group III: Communication CounselingActive Control1 Intervention
Individuals randomized to this group will receive information on how to improve their ability to hear and communicate including tips on environmental modification and communication repair strategies.
Find a clinic near you
Research locations nearbySelect from list below to view details:
VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, ORPortland, OR
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Who is running the clinical trial?
VA Office of Research and DevelopmentLead Sponsor