A Comparison of Personal Sound Amplification Products and Hearing Aids in Ecologically Relevant Test Environments.
Lisa Brody, Yu-Hsiang Wu, Elizabeth Stangl
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30458521Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 89Years
All Genders
ID06499805
Barriers and Facilitators to OTC Hearing Aids Success
Led by Yu-Hsiang Wu · Updated on 2025-05-21
360
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yu-Hsiang Wu
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to compare the experiences and outcomes of adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who choose either the traditional audiologist-based pathway or the over-the-counter (OTC) pathway for obtaining hearing aids. The study focuses on evaluating how these different approaches affect hearing aid satisfaction, usage, and related hearing healthcare behaviors over time. It addresses the challenge that many people do not use hearing aids due to cost and accessibility barriers associated with the traditional method. Participants select their preferred pathway and proceed accordingly. In the audiologist-based (AUD) group, prescription hearing aids are fitted by audiologists using established procedures at university clinics. In the OTC group, participants self-diagnose their hearing loss, purchase OTC hearing aids directly from retailers or companies, and manage fitting and programming themselves. The study follows participants for 12 months, tracking their hearing aid use and related outcomes. Researchers contact participants at 1, 6, and 12 months after they begin using their hearing aids to assess satisfaction, overall hearing aid outcomes, quality of life related to hearing, and any issues with the devices. If participants stop or reduce hearing aid use, the study also evaluates their engagement with follow-up hearing care. The collected data from both pathways will be compared to better understand long-term effects and user experiences. The study is open to adults aged 18 to 89 years and does not involve masking or randomization.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Barriers and Facilitators to OTC Hearing Aids Success
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 89Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults with adult-onset, perceived bilateral mild-to-moderate hearing loss
- No previous hearing aid experience
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-native speaker of English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 12 months
Participants choose their preferred hearing aid pathway and begin using their hearing aids either through audiologist-based fitting or over-the-counter fitting.
3 follow-up contacts at 1, 6, and 12 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
Actively Recruiting
2
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
Y
Yu-Hsiang Wu, PhD
E
Elizabeth Stangl, AuD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
Prevalence of hearing aid use among older adults in the United States.
Wade Chien, Frank R Lin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22332170Incidence and predictors of hearing aid use and ownership among older adults with hearing loss.
Bamini Gopinath, Julie Schneider, David Hartley...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21514179The Effects of Service-Delivery Model and Purchase Price on Hearing-Aid Outcomes in Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Larry E Humes, Sara E Rogers, Tera M Quigley...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28252160Hearing loss prevalence in the United States.
Frank R Lin, John K Niparko, Luigi Ferrucci
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22083573Self-Adjusted Amplification Parameters Produce Large Between-Subject Variability and Preserve Speech Intelligibility.
Peggy B Nelson, Trevor T Perry, Melanie Gregan...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30191767Toward a New Evidence-Based Fitting Paradigm for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids.
Dana Urbanski, Helin Hernandez, Jacob Oleson...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33264578