Dual-Task Cost in Bilateral Hearing Loss

Completed

Conditions studied: Bilateral Hearing Loss, Healthy Aging

In brief

The specific aims of the research study are: 1. Compare single-task gait parameters between individuals with hearing loss (HL) and age and education matched controls with normal hearing \[normal vs moderate-profound hearing loss (N=23 for each group)\]. For that we will compare the primary outcome measure, gait speed, between the groups while participants are walking at a comfortable speed for 1 minute. 2. Compare cognitive function between individuals with HL and age and education matched controls. For that we will compare the Neurocognitive Index, derived from a cognitive assessment between groups. 3. Compare the effect of a cognitive task while walking on gait parameters between people with HL and age education matched controls with normal hearing. For that we will compare the primary outcome measure, gait speed, between groups while participants are walking at a comfortable speed and counting backwards \[serial subtraction of 3\] for 1 minute. 4. Explore whether cognitive performance (i.e., the Neurocognitive Index) is correlated with Dual task cost (DTC), a deterioration of gait speed while walking and performing concurrent cognitive task \[serial subtraction of 3\]. The formula to calculate this is the following: DTC = 100 X \[(DT - single task)/ single task\].

Key facts

Study ID: NCT05540535
Run by: New York University
People needed: 67
Starts: 2022-02-01
Expected to finish: 2024-11-22
Last updated by the study team: 2025-01-13

Who can join

Age: 40 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Adults aged 40 and older with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical moderate which is defined as a PTA between 41-55dB HL (0.5-4 kHz) in the better ear.
Adults aged 40 and older with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical moderately-severe which is defined as a PTA between 56-70dB HL (0.5-4 kHz) in the better ear.
Adults aged 40 and older with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical severe which is defined as a PTA between 71-90dB HL (0.5-4 kHz) in the better ear.
Adults aged 40 and older with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical profound which is defined as a PTA above 90+dB HL (0.5-4 kHz) in the better ear.
No asymmetry of HL which is defined as a difference in PTA that is greater than 15 dB between ears or a difference greater than/equal to 20 dB at two contiguous frequencies or greater than/equal to 10 dB at three contiguous frequencies between ears.
Adults aged 40 and older with normal hearing which is defined as a PTA below 25dB (0.5-4 kHz) bilaterally.
Subjects above 65 years of age, with symmetric ARHL in the high frequencies (>3K), with unaided PTA < 40 dB (0.5-4KHz) will be included in the control group as well.

You may not qualify if…

A medical diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.
Lack of protective sensation based on the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 Monofilament Test.
Visual impairment above 20/63 (NYS Department of Motor Vehicle cutoff for driving) on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Acuity Test that cannot be corrected with lenses.
Active complaint of dizziness
Conductive HL or air bone gap
A recent onset of a sudden HL
Pregnancy
Any neurological condition interfering with balance or walking (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke)
Acute musculoskeletal pain at time of testing
Currently seeking medical care for another orthopaedic condition or vestibular rehabilitation
Take medications that might influence gait or balance (e.g., methylphenidate);
Inability to read an informed consent form in English.

Where it is running

New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai — New York, New York, United States
New York University Physical Therapy Department — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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