Effects of Asymmetries on Binaural-Hearing Abilities Across the Lifespan (NCT06953700) | Clinical Trial Compass
By InvitationNot Applicable
Effects of Asymmetries on Binaural-Hearing Abilities Across the Lifespan
United States150 participantsStarted 2024-06-17
Plain-language summary
Binaural hearing involves combining auditory information across the ears. With binaural hearing, listeners benefit from perceiving sounds from different spatial locations. This is critical in solving the "cocktail party problem" (i.e., understanding speech in the presence of competing background sounds and noise). As humans get older, hearing loss increases, binaural abilities decrease, and the cocktail party problem becomes increasingly difficult. This research studies the mechanisms underlying the impact of age and hearing loss on speech-perception in noise and cocktail-party listening situations. More specifically, the role of hearing asymmetries between the ears is investigated. The specific aims are to generate an audiological and binaural-hearing-focused dataset for a large cohort of participants that vary in hearing asymmetry, age, and hearing loss and to use machine learning to uncover complex associations and generate novel hypotheses relating audiometric variables and basic binaural-hearing abilities to the cocktail-party problem. Participants in this research will complete perceptual measures of hearing acuity and spatial hearing. Participants will also report on speech understanding under noisy and challenging listening conditions. This research may lead to improvements in audiological care and hearing interventions.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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 (18-80 years)
* No hearing asymmetry between ears (≤10 dB at any frequency) or, hearing asymmetry between ears \>10 dB
* Native English speakers
* Primarily use oral language
* Sufficient corrected or uncorrected visual acuity (20/50 or better) to read large-font text
Exclusion Criteria:
* Acoustic tone-detection threshold \>50 dB HL at any octave frequency (250-4000 Hz) in either ear (i.e., more than a moderate hearing loss)
* History of neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease) determined by self-report
* History of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury determined by self-report
* Possibility of acoustic neuroma, hearing asymmetry (\>10 dB at three consecutive audiometric threshold frequencies)
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \<22/30
* No oral language use
* Cochlear implant user
* Conductive hearing loss
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
1
Sound localization
Timeframe: After enrollment, in one visit lasting 1-2 hours
2
Spatial release from masking
Timeframe: After enrollment, in one visit lasting 1-2 hours