Comparison of PSAPs in Different Maskers

University of Massachusetts, Amherst48 enrolled

Overview

This study will measure the performance of three personal amplification devices when used by middle-aged adults. Speech understanding will be assessed with two different types of background noises at three different input levels.

Speech understanding will be measured both unaided and aided with three different models of Personal Amplification devices (PSAPs). Sentences will be played to the participant from a loudspeaker located in front. Different types of background sounds (noise and other sentences) will be played from loudspeakers located to the right and left of the participant. Participants will be instructed to repeat back the sentence coming from the front. They also will rate subjective effort at the end of each block of trials.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Auditory Perception

Interventions

Sound World Solutions CS50+DEVICE

Participants will be tested using the Sound World Solutions CS 50+ hearing devices.

Tweak FocusDEVICE

Participants will be tested using the Tweak Focus hearing devices.

IQ EarbudsDEVICE

Participants will be tested using the IQ Earbuds hearing devices.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 45 YearsMax age: 64 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * mild high-frequency hearing loss (pure-tone thresholds of 25 decibels hearing loss - 45 decibels hearing loss between 2000 Hz and 6000 Hz) Exclusion Criteria: * history of prior hearing aid use * history of neurologic or otologic disorders * score of \< 26 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (cognitive screening tool)

Locations (1)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Comparison of How Four Models of Personal Listening Devices Improve Word Understanding in Noise

Improvement in performance on speech perception task using the Nuheara IQ Buds, Tweak Focus, Bose Hearphones, or the Sound World Solutions CS 50+ personal listening devices, measured by percentage of words accurately recalled in noise with device minus percentage recalled without device. Positive values indicate improvement in performance.

Time frame: One 2-hour lab session

Secondary Outcomes

Difference in Self-rated Listening Effort

Effect of listening devices on subjective listening effort, measured by rating on ten-point scale (10 = greatest amount of effort) after task performed with device minus rating after task performed without device. Lower scores indicate less listening effort; negative values indicate reduction in effort with device.

Time frame: One 2-hour session

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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