Baltimore HEARS: Hearing Health Equity Through Accessible Research & Solutions

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Age-related Hearing Impairment 1, Personal Communication

In brief

Age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent and hearing health care is underutilized. The primary objective of the proposed randomized controlled trial is to investigate the efficacy of a community health worker (CHW)-delivered hearing loss intervention program. A preceding pilot study demonstrated preliminary effectiveness of the intervention program in reducing self-reported hearing handicap, and highlighted its acceptability among the target demographic. The proposed trial will now expand upon lessons learned through previous pilot studies and expand to other affordable residences for low-to-moderate income older adults in Baltimore. Primary outcome measurements will investigate intervention effects on hearing handicap, with secondary measurements investigating effects on domains such as social isolation and quality of life. This trial is a first-in-kind investigation of a novel community-based intervention that addresses hearing loss in a vulnerable, urban population.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03442296

Run by

Johns Hopkins University

People needed

151

Starts

2018-04-18

Expected to finish

2021-07-14

Last updated by the study team

2022-10-04

Who can join

Age: 60 and older, up to 100. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 60 years or older
• English-speaking
• Aural-oral verbal communication as primary communication modality
• Post-lingual hearing loss (Audiometric pure tone averages [0.5-4kHz] in both ears >25 dB)
• Does not currently use a hearing amplification device or hearing aid
• Signed informed consent to participate in all study related activities
• Willing to regularly use listening device once provided for the remainder of their time in the study
• Hearing handicap as measured by HHIE-S score >8
• Able to follow study instructions

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals who do not fulfill inclusion criteria
• Evidence of ear disease or pathology requiring further medical evaluation

Where it is running

• Catholic Charities — Baltimore, Maryland, United States
• Weinberg Senior Living Communities — Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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