BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the combination surgical mask+N95 mask+face shield in operating room on speech perception and listening effort during the COVID-19 process.
METHODS: The experimental part of the study was carried out in three phases. Thirty-five participants who were found to have normal hearing in Phase I were included in Phase II and Phase III. Speech stimuli were given with a surgical mask in phase II, and a combination of surgical mask+N95 mask+face shield in phase III. The tests performed in free field, in the presence of 60 dB wideband background noise. In the descriptive part of the study, the listening effort of 184 operating room professionals was examined with a 17-item questionnaire.
Who can participate
Age range
55 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:
* Inclusion Criteria:
* Operating room nurses and technicians whose medical history was not a vestibular disease and ear surgery, who were shown to have normal hearing (NH) by hearing tests.
Exclusion Criteria:
* presence of hearing and vestibular 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
Change in speech perception score under operating room PPE conditions