RecruitingNCT06781749

New Approach to Objectively Measure Social Engagement in Older Adults With Hearing Loss


Sponsor

University of Southern California

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Jan 1, 2026

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if hearing devices, like hearing aids, affect social and cognitive function of older adults. The main questions the researchers want to answer are: * How social are older adults with hearing loss before and after using hearing devices? * How well do older adults with hearing loss think before and after using hearing devices? * For older adults who have hearing loss and use hearing devices, do changes in social interaction explain changes in how well they think (cognitive function)? * Do brainwaves (EEGs) in older adults with hearing loss change after using hearing devices? * Are there differences in how social older adults with hearing loss are compared to older adults without hearing loss? What Participants Will Do: * Participants will take questionnaires for around 60 minutes. Questionnaires will ask participants about their background, health, hearing, and how social they are. Another set of questionnaires will check their thinking ability or cognition. * Participants will wear an audio sensor (TILES Audio Recorder on Jelly Mobile phone) for 2 weeks. The sensor will collect and store information about a participant's voice during conversations. Once the device has information about a participant's voice such as pitch and tone it will store this information and delete the audio recording. Words spoken during conversations will be deleted. * (Optional) Participants can choose to participate in a 45-60-minute EEG (electroencephalogram) recording session. Participants will have sensors placed on top of their heads. Sensors will record the participants' brainwaves. Sounds will be played to see how participants' brainwaves change when they hear sounds. Eligible participants will be invited to participate in 4-month follow-up study.


Eligibility

Min Age: 60 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is developing new ways to objectively measure social engagement in older adults with hearing loss, using wearable technology and other sensors. The goal is to understand whether treating hearing loss improves real-world social activity and reduces isolation. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 60 years or older - You speak English or Spanish - You fall into one of three groups: normal hearing, untreated hearing loss (no hearing aids), or currently using hearing aids **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are under 60 years old - You are unable to complete questionnaires in English or Spanish Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICEHearing aid use

Hearing aid use will be discussed with all eligible participants with hearing loss and will be encouraged to pursue hearing aid fitting through standard clinical indications via participants' insurance and audiologists.


Locations(2)

Los Angeles General Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, United States

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

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NCT06781749


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