Active clinical trials for "Hearing Loss"

In this study, a noise reduction algorithm will be implemented in various listening situations to evaluate its effectiveness in improving speech understanding for cochlear implant users ages 12 and older.

More than 1.5 billion people around the world experience hearing loss, of whom at least 430 million experience disabling hearing loss that will require rehabilitation. The majority of people have mild to moderate hearing loss and can benefit from hearing aids. However, hearing aid adoption around the world has been low, with global hearing aid coverage being less than 11%. This is partly due to limited access to hearing healthcare services and the high cost of hearing devices. However, there have been significant efforts to improve access to hearing healthcare services. This includes rapid advances in hearing aids and new service-delivery models leading to more affordable and accessible options such as Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. On the 17th of October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a regulatory category for OTC hearing aids. The final rule allows consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online retailers without the need for a medical exam, prescription or a fitting by an audiologist. The FDA defined two sub-categories for OTC hearing aids, namely 1) OTC hearing aids with standardized output profiles (i.e., pre-set programs) and 2) self-fitting OTC hearing aids which allow users to program their hearing aids with a self-fitting strategy and also customize their hearing aid settings according to their needs and preferences. Sabin et al. (2020) was the first study to validate a self-fitting method using the Bose prototype hearing aid. This self-fitting method allowed users to select their own signal processing parameters using a mobile application consisting of two wheels that simultaneously control the gain and compression of all frequency bands. Sabin et al. (2020) evaluated the real-world performance of this approach by comparing gain, sound quality and clinical measures of hearing aid benefit and satisfaction between a group using the self-fitting method and a group that was professionally fitted with the same hearing aid. The gain selected by the self-fit group was within 1.8 dB overall and 5.6 dB per band compared to the gain selected by the audiologist. Participants in the self-fit group reported better sound quality, and there were no differences in clinical measures of hearing aid benefit or satisfaction. Although a number of studies have compared self-fitting OTC devices to conventional hearing aids fitted by hearing healthcare professionals, no study has compared different self-fitting strategies in the same OTC device. Therefore, this study aims to compare the existing self-fitting strategy of the Lexie Powered by Bose hearing aids (i.e., direct adjustment) to a recently validated in-situ audiometry fitting strategy. The in-situ audiometry fitting strategy consists of in-situ thresholds measurements conducted at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz through the hearing aids, which will be used with a proprietary fitting algorithm that is based on National Acoustics Laboratories' Non-Linear Version 2 (NAL-NL2) to self-program the hearing aids.

Multi-channel cochlear implants have been highly successful in restoring speech understanding to individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Optimal programs facilitate access to sound but do not necessarily result in optimal performance. Practiced listening with auditory inputs is required to retrain the brain to hear using a cochlear implant. In some cases exposure to sound in everyday listening is sufficient; however, in others there is a need for the provision of auditory training (AT) by a trained professional. In these cases it is important to have regular visits with a specialist to: 1) facilitate auditory training exercises; 2) work with the family/friends to encourage optimal communication strategies in the home; 3) evaluate and assess achievement of listening goals. This study seeks to evaluate the feasibility of providing auditory training services remotely for patient populations located outside of Toronto. This study also seeks to evaluate interindividual perspectives regarding access and benefits of these services across remote and in person sessions.

Steroids are used widely for the treatment of Sensorineural hearing loss worldwide. The difficulty lies with efficient delivery of the drug into the cochlea, which is already a sealed chamber with limited blood supply that too with an end Artery. We intend to extrapolate its effects by combining it with Platelet rich plasma. intra-tympanic delivery is achieved with injection via tympanic membrane and its absorption via round window is hastened by posture maintenance for about half an hour. PRP is an autologous biologic fluid which has excellent safety profile and is already in use by various specialties.

The purpose of this clinical trial pilot is to obtain feasibility and pilot data necessary to inform the hearing intervention being designed for a larger R01 clinical trial that seeks to determine whether best practice hearing aid intervention impacts hearing-related outcomes in adults with hearing loss aged 55 to 75 years. Secondary purposes include: To determine what effects best practice hearing aid intervention has on physical, social, and quality of life outcomes in adults with hearing loss aged 55 to 75 years.

The aim of the study is to assess the continued efficacy and safety of cochlear implantation in participants aged 5 years and above with Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL)/Single Sided Deafness (SSD) supporting a change indication for use.

The main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an integrated program of fitting and training interventions aimed at reducing unexpected variability and addressing the specific error patterns of each recipient. The participants will undergo 1 visit lasting approximately 2 hours at the Radboud university medical center's ENT department, where they will undergo a series of diagnostic tests. Some of the participants will also be asked to self-administer additional tests using a Windows tablet. Based on the outcomes of speech recognition tests in quiet at the first visit, the participants will be called for follow-up interventions concerning both the fitting of their CI and personalized auditory training based on their personal error patterns. These interventions will take place over the course of approximately 5 months and will be made up of three follow-up visits and a period of self-administered training through a mobile application on a tablet. One final follow-up visit will check whether any changes from the interventions are retained after four weeks.

Background: The Eustachian Tube (ET) is a mucosa-lined connection between the nasopharynx and the middle ear cavity. It is believed to have three functions: 1) ventilation of and pressure equalization in the middle ear cavity, 2) mucus drainage from the middle ear, and 3) protection against sound and infection from the nasopharynx1. In adults, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) can cause complaints from one or both ears. For many years, various definitions of ETD have been used, impairing the opportunity to compare studies. However, in 2015, an international consensus on definition, types, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of ETD was published by Schilder et al2, which has been adopted by all the Scandinavian countries. The symptoms include pressure (fullness), and/or pain in the ear, muffled hearing, and overall discomfort. Furthermore, chronic ETD can result in tympanic membrane retraction, atelectasis of the middle ear cavity, and ultimately formation of cholesteatoma3. Unfortunately, the symptoms of ETD are multiple and inaccurate giving rise to varying estimates of the prevalence. As an example, a study in UK found a 0.9 % prevalence of ETD4. In addition, clear guidelines on diagnostics and treatment are not currently available due to the fact, that no objective test for detection of ETD exists. In the need of a symptom scoring system, the patient reported Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) has been developed and validated in English5. Yet, translation into other languages as well as validation in other settings are necessary in order to substantiate the applicability of ETDQ-7. ETD is associated with a lack of opening of ET. It is believed that the length, diameter and angle of ET influences its ability to open regularly, thus affecting its function. A short, narrow and angled ET may predispose to ETD. However, the imaging available to visualize ET are not accurate enough to diagnose ETD. A direct test of the function of ET is not available. Tubomanometry is a relatively new method developed to directly test the opening of ET, but is yet to be validated6. Both non-surgical and surgical treatment options to improve the function of the Eustachian Tube are available. Non-surgical management includes pressure equalization methods (e.g. the Valsalva maneuver), antihistamines, treatment with decongestants, and nasal douching with a saline solution. Surgically, ventilation tubes are often used to treat ETD. In case of adenoid hypertrophy obstructing the pharyngeal opening of ET, adenoidectomy is recommended. Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) was introduced in 2010 by Ockermann et al7. BET is a non-invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted either endonasally or transtympanic into ET, and a balloon is inflated with water for approximately two minutes. Various heterogeneous studies have shown a short-term effect of BET, but long-term effects are unclear8. In summary, despite the assumption of being a common condition, the field of ETD suffers from lack of precise definition, diagnostic criteria, identification of underlying causes as well as purposeful treatment, and prognostic factors. Especially, long-term effects of BET need further investigation. Therefore, in an effort to fill out the gap of knowledge about ETD, the following specific aims are proposed:

This project will address quality of care issues associated with hearing loss in adults who have mild-to-moderate hearing loss and who have no access to hearing healthcare. Through the use of three different interventions involving personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), it will lead to options that will increase access and affordability of hearing healthcare for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

The purpose of this study is to compare the play based therapy and functional communication training in speech-language delayed children 2-6 years old. This study will highlight the most effective intervention or therapy for Speech & Language Delayed Children. The Randomized clinical trial study will be conducted in clinic, sehat medical complex, with children who will have the diagnosis of speech and language delay. These individual will be diagnose by a speech therapist (more than 2 years experience in the field) with PORTAGE guide to early education . A group of children will be given play based therapy and the other group of children will be given functional communication training. Participants' assessments of SLD will be made using the Portage Guide to Early Education. It will take three months of sessions 5 days in a week, lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The Progress of both therapies will be seen and assessed through structured questionnaire that which technique is more effective. The individual will be assess through Speech Questionnaire on base line and after 3 months session program.