NCT04521166

Hearing Aid Processing and Working Memory in Realistic Spatial Conditions

Investigating the Relationship Between Directional Microphones, Compression, and Working Memory in Realistic Spatial Conditions.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (actual)
• Sponsor: Northwestern University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this project is to determine whether the selection of hearing aid settings should be based in part on an individual's cognitive characteristics (specifically, working memory). We anticipate the outcomes of this study to be applicable to realistic listening conditions.

Detailed description

Hearing aids have specialized features to improve access to sounds for the hearing-impaired listener. The choice of appropriate hearing aid settings is integral to the hearing rehabilitative process. Researchers and clinicians have been influenced by previous work showing that individual cognitive abilities, including working memory, are associated with hearing aid benefit, especially in adverse listening conditions. However, previous research is limited to omnidirectional microphone settings and unrealistic listening conditions. Such conditions fail to recognize that most hearing aids are fit with directional processing that may improve the listening environment, and that typical environments contain speech and noise signals in a range of spatial locations. Therefore, the broad goal of this research is to understand how patient variables interact with hearing aid signal processing in realistic listening conditions in order to effectively treat hearing-impaired individuals in communications situations that are most important to them.

Conditions

• Hearing Loss, Sensorineural

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Hearing aid	Settings in a wearable hearing aid will be adjusted within a clinically-relevant range for two features. The features include wide dynamic range compression and microphone directionality.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-05-06
• Primary completion: 2023-06-29
• Completion: 2023-06-29
• First posted: 2020-08-20
• Last updated: 2025-09-15
• Results posted: 2025-09-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study