Evaluating an Audiology Text-Message Protocol to Support Hearing Aid Use in NHS Adult Audiology Patients

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Hearing Loss

In brief

Over 18 million adults in the United Kingdom have significant hearing loss, linked to isolation, depression and comorbidities. Hearing aids are the main management option yet are frequently unused (\~23%) or used irregularly (\<40%), wasting NHS resources and reducing quality-of-life gains. Digital behaviour-change interventions can improve self-management between appointments. Florence, an NHS-endorsed text-messaging system, has been used in the management of other long-term conditions, but has not yet been applied within audiology. This study will test a standardised audiology text-message protocol, delivered via Florence, to support new NHS hearing aid users, aiming to improve adherence, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. Outcomes assess trial feasibility (primary objective), proof-of concept for efficacy (secondary objective), and process evaluation (tertiary objective).

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07146607

Run by

WSAUD A/S

People needed

70

Starts

2025-09-30

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-09

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Registered on a pre-existing Florence text-messaging protocol.
• Unable to read/understand English
• WP2: Nested Process Evaluation (minimum n=10 patients, n=2 clinicians) Inclusion criteria (patients)
• Aged ≥18 years (no upper age limit)
• Prescribed their first NHS acoustic hearing aid(s) for the primary concern of hearing loss
• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Exclusion criteria (patients)
• Registered on a pre-existing Florence text-messaging protocol.
• Unable to read/understand English
• Inclusion criteria (clinicians)
• Aged ≥18 years (no upper age limit)
• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Exclusion criteria (clinicians)
• Not meeting criteria for inclusion

Where it is running

• Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP — Sunderland, United Kingdom (enrolling)
• Audiology Department Suite 2 Thomas Linacre Centre Parsons Walk Wigan WN1 1RU — Wigan, United Kingdom (enrolling)
• QMC Ropewalk House — Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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