The purpose of this study is to develop and validate methods to use hearing aids equipped with embedded sensors and artificial intelligence to assist in the assessment of fall risk and in the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of falling, as well as to improve speech intelligibility in quiet and in background noise, track physical activity, and social engagement. The investigators hope is that the knowledge that is generated through this study will ultimately translate to the clinical setting and will help reduce the likelihood that individuals experience a fall, and improve the quality of hearing in individuals who wear hearing aids.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
350
Participants will wear hearing aids that will assess their movement, and fall risk.
Stanford Ear Institute
Palo Alto, California, United States
RECRUITINGFall risk assessment using CDC's STEADI protocol
Participants will undergo the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths \& Injuries) fall risk assessment with the hearing aids on. The scoring for these tests will be done by the tester, 2 independent raters, and the hearing aids. A comparison of the fall risk assessments by the testers and the hearing aids is the primary outcome measure. This outcome is assessed in Fall Risk Assessment participants only.
Time frame: approximately 15 minutes to assess
Timed Up and Go Test
Duration of time to stand, walk to a line on the floor (3 meters/10 feet away), turn around, return to chair and sit. Participants wear their regular footwear and can use a walking aid if needed. This outcome is assessed in Fall Risk Assessment participants only.
Time frame: approximately 15 minutes to assess
30-Second Chair Stand Test
Number of times participants can stand without using their arms during the test. Participants wear their regular footwear and can use a walking aid if needed. This outcome is assessed in Fall Risk Assessment participants only.
Time frame: approximately 15 minutes to assess
4-Stage Balance Test
Participants who are able to keep their balance for 10 second in each of four positions (feet together, feet staggered, feet in tandem, and single foot stand). They can hold their arms out, or move their body to help keep your balance, but not move their feet. This outcome is assessed in Fall Risk Assessment participants only.
Time frame: approximately 15 minutes to assess
Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant (CNC)
The number and percentage of words and phonemes accurately repeated are measured in aided (using hearing aids) and unaided conditions. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
Quick Speech-in-Noise (QuickSIN)
The number and percentage of words and phonemes accurately repeated are measured in ambient noise conditions in aided and unaided conditions. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
Words-in-Noise (WIN)
The number and percentage of words and phonemes accurately repeated are measured in muli-talker babble noise conditions in aided and unaided conditions. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
Nonsense Syllable Test (NST)
The number and percentage of words and phonemes accurately repeated are measured in continuous noise conditions in aided and unaided conditions. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
Fall screening questionnaire using CDC's STEADI protocol
Participants are screened using the CDC's "Three Key Questions" which are part of the STEADI Protocol.
Time frame: Approximately 2 minutes.
Listening Effort Questionnaire Scale Score
Listening effort scale score measures the participant's perceived listening effort. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 5 minutes.
Auditory Lifestyle and Demand Scale Score
Auditory Lifestyle and Demand scale score measures perceived demands of hearing on lifestyle. This outcome is measured in Speech Intelligibility participants only.
Time frame: Approximately 5 minutes.
User Experience Questionnaire
Participants rate their experience with the hearing aid regarding the following aspects: perceived difficulty communicating and listening effort in different environments.
Time frame: Approximately 2 minutes.
Demographic and Health Questionnaires
Data is gathered on age, sex, education level, hand-laterality, professional background, exercise habits, race, ethnicity, marital status, health literacy scores, medical conditions, and medications.
Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes.
Orthostatic Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measurements in laying down, sitting, and standing positions.
Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes.
Pure-Tone Audiometry
Hearing thresholds are measured from 250Hz through 8kHz in both ears, air and bone conduction.
Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes.
Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Questionnaire
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Participants rate their confidence level in various balance situations.
Time frame: Approximately 10 minutes.
Speech, Spatial Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ)
Participants rate their difficulty level with understanding speech in various hearing situations.
Time frame: Approximately 10 minutes.
Hearing Aid Data
Data is gathered from the participants' hearing aids on wear-time, streaming time, time spent in various sound classes and software updates. Data is also collected on the participants' required receiver length and coupling, as well as any specific fitting requirements they may have.
Time frame: Approximately 5 minutes.