Effects of Cognitive Training on Age-Related Hearing Loss and Speech Perception
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Hearing Loss
- Sponsor
- Aaron Newman
- Enrollment
- 42
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Speech Perception in Noise Test - Improvement in speech perception accuracy from baseline to post-training for high and low predictability sentences
- Status
- Terminated
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
In this study, the investigators are testing whether cognitive training can lead to improvements in speech perception for individuals with hearing loss. Individuals will complete 20 hours of cognitive training that is designed to improve cognitive abilities such as short term memory and attention. The investigators predict that cognitive training that improves the cognitive abilities affected by hearing loss will improve speech perception.
Investigators
Aaron Newman
Neuropsychologist
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Able to come to Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for study visits
- •Adults (50 years or older) with mild to moderate hearing loss
- •Access to an internet-connected device that is able to use Flash media, basic computer skills
- •Medically stable participants
- •Not currently taking medication that may affect brain function (e.g., anti-anxiety medication)
- •Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Exclusion Criteria
- •Participants with neurological conditions such as epilepsy or concussions will be excluded for safety reasons
- •Participants who are not native English speakers (materials used in the study are only in English)
- •Participants who are unable to provide consent
- •Participants with impaired cognition (assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
- •Participants with high accuracy on the Speech Perception in Noise task at the second study visit (to eliminate participants who may be performing at ceiling level)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Speech Perception in Noise Test - Improvement in speech perception accuracy from baseline to post-training for high and low predictability sentences
Time Frame: Baseline, Weeks 2, 10, and 18
Sentences of high predictability and low predictability are played with multi-user talker babble. Participants must repeat the last word of each sentence as they heard it. The primary outcome measure will be the accuracy for repeating the sentence.
Secondary Outcomes
- Working Memory Cognitive Training - Improvements in working memory abilities from baseline(Weeks 2, 10, and 18)
- Brain Performance Test(Weeks 2 and 10)
- Attention Cognitive Training - Improvements in attention abilities from baseline(Weeks 2, 10, and 18)