CompletedNot Applicable

Wide Frequency Band Test of Hearing in Veterans

United States320 participantsStarted 2014-12-01

Plain-language summary

The accurate assessment of auditory status is critical for planning treatment for Veterans with hearing loss to include medical and audiological management. Current physiologic tests of auditory function in the standard clinical audiological test battery for Veterans have limited sensitivity in detecting some middle-ear disorders, and do not include a direct test of cochlear function. Recent studies have shown promise for new wide-bandwidth (WB) tests of absorbance for improved sensitivity in the assessment of middle-ear function including acoustic reflex testing. The addition of WB tests of cochlear function included in the WB test battery provides an opportunity to improve audiological diagnosis of a range of hearing disorders in Veterans. The automation provided by the WB test battery could provide additional benefits in reducing the duration of the evaluation, leaving more time for evaluation of test findings and counseling. Results from this study may lead to the improvement of audiological care for Veterans with hearing loss.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 89 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults with normal hearing * Veteran status * Age between 20 and 79 years * All puretone thresholds at 25 dB HL or lower Adults with sensory neural hearing loss * Veteran status * Age between 20 and 79 years * Average hearing thresholds between 26 and 55 dB HL Adults with middle ear disorders * Veteran status * Adult between 20 and 89 years * Diagnosis of middle ear disorder Exclusion Criteria: * Draining ear * Sensory neural hearing loss greater than 55 dB HL * Cerumen impaction of ear canal

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Experimental Middle Ear Test: Ambient Wideband Absorbance

Timeframe: Assessed at the time of enrollment during one 2.5- to 3-hour visit.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02019888

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2020-01-31

Results submitted2021-02-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hearing Loss, Sensorineural trials