Active clinical trials for "Deafness"

Introduction: Hearing loss is a prevalent condition in elderly population. However, the low adherence to hearing aids is a fact, with an estimation of use of 50 per cent. In 2007 there was designed a rehabilitation program called ACE, which aims to improve rehabilitation directed to hearing aids users. The study hypothesis is that a counseling program will improve adherence to hearing aids in elderly population. Objective: To evaluate the utility of a standardized counselling program in patients with hearing loss. Material and Methods: A before/after trial will be carried out, approved by the Hospital ethics - committee. Patients with 65 years and older with hearing loss diagnosed by pure tone audiometry will be included. To assess adherence we will use the IOI-HA scale.

The overall aim of the study is to investigate the Ponto wide implant considering; initial implant stability, stability over time, skin reaction and long term success when loaded at 3 weeks post surgery. Patients' quality of life improvements following implantation will also be surveyed. More specifically the primary objective of this clinical study is to test the hypothesis The new Ponto wide diameter implant offers increased implant stability measured as ISQ (implant stability quotient) compared to the previous generation Ponto implant. And the secondary objective is to Investigate when in time implant stability is the lowest as the initial mechanical stability is gradually replaced by biological stability

The objective of the trial is to investigate whether early treatment with oral valganciclovir of infants with both congenital cytomegalovirus infection and sensorineural hearing loss can prevent progression of hearing loss.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate audio quality benefit for the patient implanted with a Cochlear or Otologics Carina implant with the new firmware (feedback canceller algorithm) whatever the patient environment is and to evaluate the functional gain and speech understanding benefit for the patient upon the firmware used (new and reference firmware). The new firmware aims to adapt automatically for feedback cancellation without prior calibration.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of 'patient journey' model in internet-based counseling of a person with hearing impairment is a feasible approach in management of emotional and social consequences, anxiety and depression, readiness to change and acceptance of hearing loss.

Despite modern hearing aids such as cochlear implants, speech comprehension during telephone conversation is challenging for hearing-impaired patients. On the one hand, conventional telephones transmit a limited spectrum of the acoustic signal compared to a normal conversation. On the other hand, lip reading during a phone call is generally not possible. As a result, speech comprehension during a telephone conversation is reduced. In previous studies, the authors demonstrated an improved speech comprehension for hearing-impaired patients using voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony (Skype) compared to conventional telephony. New bluetooth-enabled hearing aids allow for direct transmission of the telephone signal to the hearing device. As the direct transmission is expected to improve signal-to-noise ratio, speech comprehension is tested in patients with bluetooth-enabled hearing aids for 4 different scenarios: 1. conventional telephony without bluetooth device 2. conventional telephony with bluetooth device 3. VoIP telephony without bluetooth device 4. VoIP telephony with bluetooth device

Hearing-impaired children are at risk for a vestibular impairment, as the auditory and vestibular end organs are closely related. Although this can compromise a child's development on many levels, vestibular testing is not routinely performed in this vulnerable group. This project aims to give each congenitally hearing-impaired child in Flanders (Belgium) access to a basic vestibular screening at a young age and set an example for other regions worldwide.

Hearing loss screening rates in for older persons in primary care clinics are very low even though hearing loss is relatively common for older persons. When diagnosed with hearing loss older persons are often reluctant to follow through. This study involves a prospective controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of three primary care based protocols for older adults ≥ 60 who screen positive for possible hearing loss in promoting subsequent access to and use of hearing health care services. The protocols will compare: 1) screening only (standard care control); 2) screening plus an illustrated educational brochure; and 3) screening plus an in-person educational intervention and an illustrated educational brochure. Screening will be done by primary care personnel. Participants will be tracked for 8 months to assess outcomes.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant clinical, social, and economic issue. Studies in animals have allowed us to identify mechanisms contributing to NIHL, including direct mechanical trauma, free radicals formed in association with metabolic stress, and reduced blood flow. A combination of antioxidant vitamins (beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E) and the mineral magnesium (which acts in part as a vasodilator but also as an antioxidant) is highly effective in preventing NIHL in animals. These studies evaluate efficacy of this intervention in humans. Hypothesis: Treatment with these micronutrients provides safe, effective attenuation of acute hearing changes induced by exposure to real-world sounds producing temporary (non-permanent) or permanent hearing changes induced by exposure to real-world sounds. Experiment 1: "Digital Audio Player" studies (University of Florida, Gainesville). Prevention of *temporary* elevations in hearing thresholds, induced by exposure to moderately loud music, will be measured. Subjects will be 70 young adults with equal numbers of male and female participants.

Introduction: Oral health is considered as a vital component of overall health and its importance in children may not be disregarded. In children with hearing impairment, communication barriers may hamper their understanding of oral hygiene practices, making them particularly vulnerable to dental problems. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare effectiveness of skit video, pictorial and sign language interventions to improve oral hygiene status of children with hearing impairment. Methods: Sixty children were completed the study and allocated randomly into each group with twenty children as follows: group A: Skit video, group B: Pictorial, and group C: Sign language. Mean gingival and OHI scores were recorded before and after implementation of interventions. Oral hygiene habits, oral hygiene and gingival index scores were recorded by structured questionnaire.