Speech-in-noise, Psychosocial, and Heart Rate Variability Outcomes of Group Singing or Audiobook Club Interventions for Older Adults With Unaddressed Hearing Loss: a SingWell Project Multisite, Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether group singing can improve speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing in older adults aged 60 and above who have unaddressed mild-to-moderate hearing loss. This international, multisite, randomized controlled trial addresses previous research limitations by using a large sample size and rigorous statistical methods to explore these potential benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for a 12-week intervention: a group singing program with 1.5 hours of in-person choir instruction each week, or an audiobook club with 1.5 hours of in-person discussion weekly as a control activity. The interventions are designed to assess the effects of group singing compared to an active social activity on hearing-related and psychosocial outcomes. Throughout the study, participants will undergo multiple assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and during weekly sessions. These include tests of speech-in-noise perception, emotional speech perception, quality of life, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, social connectedness, and various aspects of music perception. Psychosocial questionnaires and heart-rate variability will also be collected to evaluate emotional and social changes. The total participation time covers the 12-week training with measurements taken before, during, and after the intervention period.

Benefits of Choir for Older Adults With Unaddressed Hearing Loss (WP2)