RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07218991

Wearable Echolocation Aids Using Parametric Sound

Sponsor

The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Feb 21, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Low vision

Summary

The objective of this study is to study a novel device designed to aid patients with impaired vision to safely navigate their environment. Subjects for this study will be individuals with normal vision, either with or without correction. The subjects will wear a device to simulate impaired vision and will be asked to walk a path with randomly placed obstacles during two trials. One of the trials will consist of the subject wearing the simulator alone. The other trial will consist of the subject wearing the simulator and the study device. The study device is designed to be worn by the study subject and will emit tones to indicate obstacles in the environment as the subject walks on the path with random obstacles. The tones will indicate that there is an obstacle in the individual's path and will increase in intensity as the subject moves closer to the object.Invest

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 100 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Subject has provided informed consent in a manner approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and is willing and able to comply with the trial procedures.
Adults at least 18 years of age and no older than 100 years of age at the time of consent.
Individuals in good health who can perform daily activities without assistance and can walk independently.
Normal vision (with or without corrective lenses) if there is no uncorrectable visual impairment.

Exclusion Criteria14

History of gait problems.
Foot or leg impairments.
Hearing impairment.
Vertigo or other balance problems.
Pregnant individuals.
Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the subject at increased risk for participation.
Medications that may cause dizziness or weakness.
Concurrent participation on another research study.
Use of an investigational agent in the 30 days prior to signing informed consent.
History of prior non-compliance.
Presence or history of psychiatric condition (including anxiety, psychosis, drug, or alcohol addiction) that would, in the opinion of the investigator, make it difficult for the subject to comply with the study procedures or follow the investigators instructions.
Non-English-speaking individuals.
Individuals from special or vulnerable populations (i.e., adults unable to consent, minors, incarcerated individuals).
Body weight greater than 700 pounds.

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Interventions

DEVICEWearable Echolocation Device

The device features many parametric speakers housed in a plastic case. The parametric speakers emit directional sound waves that return to the source with varying wavelengths depending on the distance of the surrounding objects. The device is designed to be worn by the subject either using a lanyard on the subject's neck, or on the subject's wrist.