Treatment Trials

478 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions

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Mechanism Underlying the Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognition
Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if hearing devices, like hearing aids and cochlear implants, 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 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.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Bilateral (Causes Other Than Tumors)

Evaluation of Extended Wear Hearing Aid for Mild Hearing Loss
Description

This study will assess the benefit of extended wear hearing aids for subjective listening effort, compared to the unaided condition, in adults with mild sensorineural hearing loss.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Non-Invasive System to Deliver Therapeutic Hypothermia for Protection Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Description

The goal of this interventional clinical study is to investigate the use of mild therapeutic hypothermia devices for preservation of sensory structures in the cochlea after noise exposure. The main aims of the study are: 1. To test the safety and best duration for use for a new hypothermia device. 2. To determine if the hypothermia device helps decrease noise-induced hearing loss in a group of firefighters. Participants will wear the mild therapeutic hypothermia therapy devices immediately after a fire service shift serially over a year. Researchers will compare results from those receiving the therapy to those from a control group (individuals receiving no therapy and a sham therapy).

Conditions

Noise Exposure, Noise-induced Hearing Loss, Noise; Adverse Effect, Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia, Cooling, Occupational Exposure, Occupational Health, Hidden Hearing Loss

Remote Audiometry to Monitor for Treatment-Related Hearing Loss in Patients With H&N SCC Receiving Cisplatin and/or Radiation
Description

This clinical trial tests the impact of offering hearing tests (audiometry) close to home and remotely on participation in monitoring for treatment-related hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation. Cisplatin, a chemotherapy often used to treat head and neck cancers, and radiation given near the ear can cause hearing loss in some patients. Hearing loss can have a major negative impact on quality of life, contributing to social isolation and frustration. Identifying hearing changes may allow treatment changes to prevent further loss. Audiometry measures hearing loss using a graphic record of the softest sounds that a person can hear at various frequencies. It is recommended patients have a hearing test before, during and after treatment to monitor for any hearing loss. This is usually done in the office and performed on the same day as other visits whenever possible, however, patients who live far away or have stage IV cancer, may have more difficulty coming back for hearing tests. Offering close to home and remote audiometry may improve monitoring for hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation.

Conditions

Clinical Stage IV HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Head and Neck Carcinoma of Unknown Primary, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stage IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck AJCC v8, Stage IV Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Laryngeal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Sinonasal Cancer AJCC v8

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

Unaddressed age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults, typified by negative consequences for speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. There is promising evidence that group singing may enhance speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. However, there is a lack of robust evidence, primarily due to the literature being based on small sample sizes, single site studies, and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Hence, to address these concerns, this SingWell Project study utilizes an appropriate sample size, multisite, randomized controlled trial approach, with a robust preplanned statistical analysis. The objective of the study is to explore if group singing may improve speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss. The investigators designed an international, multisite, randomized controlled trial to explore the benefits of group singing for adults aged 60 years and older with unaddressed hearing loss. After undergoing an eligibility screening process and completing an information and consent form, the investigators intend to recruit 210 participants that will be randomly assigned to either group singing or an audiobook club (control group) intervention for a training period of 12-weeks. The study has multiple timepoints for testing, that are broadly categorized as macro (i.e., pre- and post-measures across the 12-weeks), or micro timepoints (i.e., pre- and post-measures across a weekly training session). Macro measures include behavioural measures of speech and music perception, and psychosocial questionnaires. Micro measures include psychosocial questionnaires and heart-rate variability. The investigators hypothesize that group singing may be effective at improving speech perception and psychosocial outcomes for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss-more so than participants in the control group.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Age-Related, Speech Intelligibility, Psychosocial Functioning

Perception of Speech in Context by Listeners With Healthy and Impaired Hearing
Description

Recognition of speech sounds is accomplished through the use of adjacent sounds in time, in what is termed acoustic context. The frequency and temporal properties of these contextual sounds play a large role in recognition of human speech. Historically, most research on both speech perception and sound perception in general examine sounds out-of-context, or presented individually. Further, these studies have been conducted independently of each other with little connection across labs, across sounds, etc. These approaches slow the progress in understanding how listeners with hearing difficulties use context to recognize speech and how their hearing aids and/or cochlear implants might be modified to improve their perception. This research has three main goals. First, the investigators predict that performance in speech sound recognition experiments will be related when testing the same speech frequencies or the same moments in time, but that performance will not be related in further comparisons across speech frequencies or at different moments in time. Second, the investigators predict that adding background noise will make this contextual speech perception more difficult, and that these difficulties will be more severe for listeners with hearing loss. Third, the investigators predict that cochlear implant users will also use surrounding sounds in their speech recognition, but with key differences than healthy-hearing listeners owing to the sound processing done by their implants. In tandem with these goals, the investigators will use computer models to simulate how neurons respond to speech sounds individually and when surrounded by other sounds.

Conditions

Hearing, Hearing Loss

Optimizing Bilateral and Single-sided-deafness Cochlear Implants for Functioning in Complex Auditory Environments
Description

Cochlear implants (CIs) are devices that partially restore hearing for people with severe to profound hearing loss. This research focuses on CI users who use bilaterally implanted devices (two CIs, one on each side) and also "single-sided deafness" (SSD) CI users who use one CI together with good acoustic hearing in their opposite ear. The goal is to measure and understand the impact of large input asymmetries across the two ears. These asymmetries are common in BI-CI listeners and always present in SSD-CI users. Although most CI listeners benefit from a second source of auditory input, this project measures how these asymmetries limit speech understanding and spatial hearing. The long-term goal is countering or compensating for input asymmetries. Electrophysiological measures are used to describe the health of the auditory system. Behavioral measures are used to assess if training improves performance. CT imaging is utilized to describe the placement of the CIs.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Cochlear Hearing Loss

Does Wearing Hearing Aids Impact the Affective State of Older Adults With Hearing Loss in Their Daily Lives?
Description

The proposed field trial will clarify the real-world effectiveness of HAs in remediating deficits in emotion processing for older adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. This study will employ a repeated reversal design to establish baseline affective state without HAs, when wearing amplification, and after HAs are removed. This study will triangulate self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures to capture nuances of emotional processing in the laboratory and in daily listening. Naturalistic stimuli will be used as it occurs in daily life to elicit emotional experiences, and ecological momentary assessment and commercially-available wearable sensors will be used to track changes in emotional state in daily listening. Anchoring real-world emotional experiences with controlled laboratory experiences will validate wearable sensors. Additionally, laboratory emotional stimuli will be related to real-world emotional experiences to establish the utility of laboratory stimuli in future studies. It is likely that benefits in emotional processing will have differential effects based on individual characteristics (such as degree of hearing loss, age, gender, cognitive ability, and personality), so participants will be analyzed according to larger groupings based on individual differences.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Emotions, Stress Physiology

Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation (EARHLI)
Description

Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation (EARHLI) is a single site study that will randomize late middle age adults to either a hearing intervention (including hearing aids) or a health education intervention. Participants will be followed for 1 year. This study will provide information on reducing cognitive decline in those at risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD).

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease, Hearing Loss, Cognitive Impairment

A Natural History Study in Pediatric Participants With Hearing Loss Due to OTOF, GJB2, or GJB2/GJB6 Mutations
Description

This is an observational study to examine the characteristics of gene-related hearing loss in pediatric participants with biallelic otoferlin (OTOF) Mutations, Gap Junction Beta 2 (GJB2) Mutations, or Digenic GJB2/Gap Junction Beta 6 (GJB6) Mutations. This study will follow the participant for 4 years with annual visits each year.

Conditions

Congenital Hearing Loss Secondary to Biallelic Mutations in the Otoferlin Gene (OTOF), Biallelic Mutations in the Gap Junction Beta 2 (GJB2) Gene, Digenic Mutations in GJB2/Gap Junction Beta 6 (GJB6) Genes

Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation Pilot Study
Description

The purpose of this clinical trial pilot is to obtain feasibility and pilot data necessary to inform the hearing intervention being designed for a larger R01 clinical trial that seeks to determine whether best practice hearing aid intervention impacts hearing-related outcomes in adults with hearing loss aged 55 to 75 years. Secondary purposes include: To determine what effects best practice hearing aid intervention has on physical, social, and quality of life outcomes in adults with hearing loss aged 55 to 75 years.

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Gene Therapy Trial for Otoferlin Gene-mediated Hearing Loss
Description

Part A of this trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single unilateral administration of one of two dose levels of AAVAnc80-hOTOF and will evaluate the Akouos delivery device to safely achieve the intended product performance.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Bilateral

A Study of DB-OTO, an Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) Based Gene Therapy, in Children/Infants With Hearing Loss Due to Otoferlin Mutations
Description

Regeneron is conducting a study of an investigational new drug called DB-OTO. DB-OTO is a gene therapy that is being developed to treat children who have hearing loss due to changes in the otoferlin gene. The purpose of this study is to: * Learn about the safety of DB-OTO * Determine how well DB-OTO is tolerated (does not cause ongoing discomfort) * Evaluate the efficacy of DB-OTO (how well DB-OTO works)

Conditions

Congenital Hearing Loss Secondary to Biallelic Mutations of the Otoferlin Gene (OTOF)

The Impact of Hearing Loss Severity on Balance Intervention Outcomes
Description

The goal of this study is to learn about how hearing loss impacts balance intervention outcomes and risk of falling in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does the evidence-based A Matter of Balance (AMOB) program affect older adults' falls risk and balance-related measures? * Is the severity of someone's hearing loss related to their balance intervention (AMOB) outcomes? Participants will: * Complete a hearing and balance test * Answer some questions about their background and health history, their thoughts about potential falls and how this impacts them, and their current physical activity level * Participate in the A Matter of Balance Program, an evidence-based program that includes group discussion, activities, and exercises to reduce fall risk

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Fall, Postural Balance

First in Human Safety Study of FX-345 in Adults With Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Description

This single-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the safety of FX-345 administered as a single intratympanic injection in adults with acquired sensorineural hearing loss. The primary objectives are to assess the local safety, systemic safety, and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile to determine systemic exposure.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural

School Screening and Telemedicine Specialty Referral to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska
Description

The prevalence of childhood hearing loss in rural Alaska is disproportionately high and predominately infection-related. With preventive screenings and access to health care, much of childhood hearing loss is preventable. Although state-mandated school screening helps identify children with hearing loss, loss to follow-up is pervasive and exacerbated by a scarcity of specialists in rural regions. A mixed methods cluster randomized trial conducted in northwest Alaska demonstrated that telemedicine can significantly reduce loss to follow-up. This stepped wedge trial, in partnership with Southcentral Foundation, will build on this existing work to develop a model that can be scaled in diverse environments. We will adapt and implement a new telemedicine intervention called Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR). This trial will be conducted in 3 regions in rural Alaska that represent multiple healthcare systems. Based on stakeholder feedback and evidence generated from the previous trial, an enhanced mobile health (mHealth) hearing screening will be implemented in all participating schools prior to the STAR intervention, and the telemedicine referral to specialty care (STAR intervention) will be moved from the clinic directly into the school. This stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial is part of a larger hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial. The stepped wedge trial will evaluate the effectiveness of the STAR intervention in reducing loss to follow-up from referred school hearing screening in 3 regions of Alaska: Kodiak, Petersburg and Lower Yukon (n=23 schools, \~2,015 K-12 students/year). The STAR Intervention will be compared to the standard referral of a letter home to families. Cluster randomization at the level of school will be performed, with schools (clusters) randomized to one of two sequences. The effectiveness outcome (i.e., proportion of children who receive follow-up) will be evaluated over three academic years (2023-2026), with STAR rolled out in a stepwise manner for each of the two sequences (academic year 2024-2025 for sequence 1 and academic year 2025-2026 for sequence 2). The control periods for each sequence will be academic year 2023-2024 for sequence 1 and academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 for sequence 2. Enhanced screening will be rolled out to both sequences at the same time (i.e., non-randomized) beginning academic year 2023-2024. An implementation evaluation will be conducted to refine and adapt the enhanced hearing screening and STAR intervention throughout the trial. Implementation data will be collected starting academic year 2022-2023 and then annually for each of the subsequent years.

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Otoferlin Gene-mediated Hearing Loss Natural History Study
Description

This is a retrospective and prospective longitudinal study in participants with Otoferlin Gene-Mediated Hearing Loss.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Bilateral

Dual-Task Cost in Bilateral Hearing Loss
Description

The specific aims of the research study are: 1. Compare single-task gait parameters between individuals with hearing loss (HL) and age and education matched controls with normal hearing \[normal vs moderate-profound hearing loss (N=23 for each group)\]. For that we will compare the primary outcome measure, gait speed, between the groups while participants are walking at a comfortable speed for 1 minute. 2. Compare cognitive function between individuals with HL and age and education matched controls. For that we will compare the Neurocognitive Index, derived from a cognitive assessment between groups. 3. Compare the effect of a cognitive task while walking on gait parameters between people with HL and age education matched controls with normal hearing. For that we will compare the primary outcome measure, gait speed, between groups while participants are walking at a comfortable speed and counting backwards \[serial subtraction of 3\] for 1 minute. 4. Explore whether cognitive performance (i.e., the Neurocognitive Index) is correlated with Dual task cost (DTC), a deterioration of gait speed while walking and performing concurrent cognitive task \[serial subtraction of 3\]. The formula to calculate this is the following: DTC = 100 X \[(DT - single task)/ single task\].

Conditions

Bilateral Hearing Loss, Healthy Aging

School Screening and Telemedicine Specialty Referral to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Kentucky
Description

This trial will evaluate a multilevel intervention (STAR model) that combines mobile health (mHealth) hearing screening tools with telemedicine technology for specialty care access in rural Kentucky schools. An initial version of the model was used in rural Alaska where telemedicine-based specialty referral improved both proportion of children receiving follow-up and time to follow-up. The refined STAR model will utilize an enhanced mHealth screening protocol that includes tympanometry for the detection of middle ear disease. The STAR model will also include a specialty telemedicine referral process in schools for children who refer school screening.

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Retrieval Practice for Word Learning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Description

This study is designed to advance the promising yet underutilized research on retrieval practice by evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of two key retrieval practice features (feedback and spacing). The study uses four single case adapted alternating treatments studies, each with four 5- to 8-year-old children who are deaf and hard of hearing to evaluate the effects of feedback and spacing on the efficiency of word learning and retention.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Language Impairment

A Study of Treatment for Medulloblastoma Using Sodium Thiosulfate to Reduce Hearing Loss
Description

This phase III trial tests two hypotheses in patients with low-risk and average-risk medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the back of the brain. The term, risk, refers to the chance of the cancer coming back after treatment. Subjects with low-risk medulloblastoma typically have a lower chance of the cancer coming back than subjects with average-risk medulloblastoma. Although treatment for newly diagnosed average-risk and low-risk medulloblastoma is generally effective at treating the cancer, there are still concerns about the side effects of such treatment. Side effects or unintended health conditions that arise due to treatment include learning difficulties, hearing loss or other issues in performing daily activities. Standard therapy for newly diagnosed average-risk or low-risk medulloblastoma includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (including cisplatin). Cisplatin may cause hearing loss as a side effect. In the average-risk medulloblastoma patients, this trial tests whether the addition of sodium thiosulfate (STS) to standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy reduces hearing loss. Previous studies with STS have shown that it may help reduce or prevent hearing loss caused by cisplatin. In the low-risk medulloblastoma patients, the study tests whether a less intense therapy (reduced radiation) can provide the same benefits as the more intense therapy. The less intense therapy may cause fewer side effects. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. The overall goals of this study are to see if giving STS along with standard treatment (radiation therapy and chemotherapy) will reduce hearing loss in medulloblastoma patients and to compare the overall outcome of patients with medulloblastoma treated with STS to patients treated without STS on a previous study in order to make sure that survival and recurrence of tumor is not worsened.

Conditions

Childhood Medulloblastoma

Investigation to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Cochlear Implantation in Children and Adults With Unilateral Hearing Loss/Single-sided Deafness
Description

The aim of the study is to assess the continued efficacy and safety of cochlear implantation in participants aged 5 years and above with Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL)/Single Sided Deafness (SSD) supporting a change indication for use.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Unilateral, Deafness, Unilateral

Optimizing Soft Speech Recognition in Children With Hearing Loss
Description

Overhearing is important for vocabulary learning and speech and language development in young children. However, contemporary hearing aids are generally unable to provide adequate access to low-level auditory inputs from multiple talkers at a distance to capitalize on overhearing. A recent investigation by Jace Wolfe and colleagues showed that, even when aided, children with hearing loss had significantly poorer speech recognition at 40, 50 and 60 dBA compared to children with normal hearing. Furthermore, they showed that increasing hearing aid gain for very low-level inputs produced a statistically significant improvement in syllable-final plural recognition and a non-significant trend toward better monosyllabic word recognition at very low presentation levels. Additional research is needed to document low-level speech recognition ability of children with hearing loss as well as the potential benefit or detriment of increasing hearing aid gain for low-level inputs. A novel hearing aid technology known as Soft Speech Enhancer has been shown improve low-level speech perception in adults with hearing loss; however, the effect of Speech Enhancer on speech recognition in children is not yet known and will be evaluated.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Hearing Loss, Bilateral

Single-Sided Deafness in the Medicare Population
Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cochlear implantation in adults 65 years of age and older.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Unilateral

Quantification of Visually Evoked Cortical Potentials in Individuals With Hearing Loss
Description

This research is being done to determine whether a test that measures a "Visual Evoked Potential" can be used in a new way for individuals that have hearing loss. This test measures the participant's brain's response (so called "brain waves") to specific visual images. This study will help the investigators determine whether this test could be used to improve treatments for patients with hearing loss. The "Visual Evoked Potential" measurement test is already used in the investigator's Neurology clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for various conditions to measure "early" brain responses that occur in the first 1-2 seconds after a new cue. Our research aims to explore your brain's response just after that early 1-2 second period by looking at a specific response called the "P300". The P300 wave is a brain response to new or different images or sounds. A visual evoked P300 has not been studied in individuals with hearing loss. The investigators will compare the results of this test to standard auditory tests, tests of cognitive function, and cochlear implant patient outcomes to explore how these factors can predict successful use of a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss

FX-322 in Adults With Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Description

This is a Phase 2, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy of FX-322, administered by intratympanic injection, in adults with acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Sudden Hearing Loss

Single-sided Deafness and Cochlear Implantation
Description

This observational study evaluates the effects of cochlear implantation in patients with deafness in one ear.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Hearing Loss, Unilateral, Hearing Loss, Sudden, Hearing Loss, Cochlear, Hearing Loss in Left Ear, Hearing Loss in Right Ear, Labyrinthitis

Hearing Impairment, Strategies and Outcomes in VA Emergency Departments
Description

HearVA involves six VA facility emergency departments (ED) over a 3-year intervention period. The first part of this study will test whether providing personal amplifiers to Veteran ED patients who self-report hearing difficulty is acceptable to these patients, can improve their hearing, enhance understanding of discharge instructions, and can reduce the risk of coming back to the ED in a short period of time (3 days and 30 days). The second part of the study will then identify whether ED staff can implement this program and achieve similar results. The second part will give ED staff increasing levels of responsibility for screening Veterans for hearing difficulty and providing personal amplifiers when such difficulty is detected.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Emergency Service, Hospital Readmission

Teletherapy in Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Description

This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of speech/language teletherapy to address disparities in speech and language outcomes in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HH). The investigators will enroll D/HH children aged 0-27 months. 140 children who are publicly insured will be randomized to receive usual clinical care or to be given access to an 18-month course of speech-language teletherapy program. 70 children who are privately insured will also be enrolled and will receive usual care. Children will undergo, at baseline and every 9 months thereafter to a study endpoint of 18 months, for a total of 3 timepoints, a battery of in-person and parent-report assessments designed to provide a comprehensive measurement of the child's auditory function, speech, verbal- and non-verbal communication, spoken language, and quality of life.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Speech and Language Development Delay Due to Hearing Loss

Atorvastatin to Reduce Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss Among Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer
Description

Background: Cisplatin is used to treat head and neck cancer. People who take this drug are at risk for hearing loss. Atorvastatin is a drug used to treat high cholesterol. It might reduce the risk of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Objective: To find out if atorvastatin reduces hearing loss in people treated with cisplatin and radiation. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who will undergo treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiation Design: Participants will be screened with their medical records. Participants currently taking a cholesterol-lowering statin medication are invited to participate in the observational arm of the study. Those not taking such a medication are invited to participate in the interventional arm of the study. All participants will have 3 study visits for the purpose of evaluating hearing. One before starting cisplatin treatment, one within 3 months of completing cancer treatment, and one within 2 years of completing cancer treatment. They will have tympanograms. A small flexible tip will be placed in the ear canal. A puff of air will be delivered to assess mobility of the ear drum. They will have hearing tests. They will wear headphones. They will listen to tones that vary in loudness. They will be asked to indicate when they hear a sound. They will complete 3 questionnaires at the time of each hearing test. Participants will have 2 visits for blood tests. These will occur upon consent and 12 weeks after. They will be randomly assigned to take the study drug or placebo orally, once daily. They will take it during cisplatin treatment and for 3 months after treatment. Long-term follow up will include a chart review 2 years after participants complete their cisplatin therapy.

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Head and Neck Cancer