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Validating a Self-fitting Hearing Aid

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Hearing and Vision Loss
Interventions
Other: Fitting algorithm
Registration Number
NCT05246904
Lead Sponsor
University of Minnesota
Brief Summary

Eargo, Inc. has developed a hearing aid that contains self-fitting gain software that allows adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to test their hearing sensitivity and program hearing aids to match their measured hearing loss. Traditionally, hearing aids are custom programmed by a hearing health professional based on a professional hearing test. This technology has the potential to improve affordability and accessibility of hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. We propose to validate Eargo's self-fitting software in a clinical trial comparing self-fitting hearing aid outcomes to the same hearing aid fit by a professional following usual clinical best practice for fitting hearing aids.

Detailed Description

The study will recruit 30-50 adults age 18 and over with mild-to-moderate hearing loss in both ears. We will aim to recruit a sample with roughly equal number of males and females and new and experienced hearing aid users (defined by any hearing aid use within the previous 6 months). Hearing loss will be measured using the results of a standard clinical hearing test.

We will use a within-subject, crossover design in which all participants will complete both field trial hearing aid conditions (self-fit and clinically fit hearing aids). The order of the field trials will be randomized across participants to account for any potential order effects. After each field trial, participants will visit the lab to complete study outcome measures, including hearing aid benefit, subjective sound quality, and speech in noise intelligibility testing.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
41
Inclusion Criteria
  • mild to moderate hearing loss ability to follow written directions,
Exclusion Criteria
  • inability to use software during first visit

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
audiologist armFitting algorithmA research audiologist will fit the participant with the hearing devices according to usual clinical best practice procedures.
self-fit armFitting algorithmParticipants will follow manufacturer's printed instructions to complete the self-hearing test using the hearing aids and a provided app to program their hearing aids.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit2-3 weeks

Survey of subjective benefit

Speech in noise test, AZ Bio sentencesImmediately after fitting

Sentence recognition test in background noise

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Subjective sound quality rating2-3 weeks

Participants rate the quality of sound through hearing aids

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

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