The Effect of Sound Stimulation on Hearing Ability

NCT01434446 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IEK 08252011
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 21
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In the late 1990s, researchers discovered that acoustic stimuli slow progressive sensorineural hearing loss and exposure to a moderately augmented acoustic environment can delay the loss of auditory function. In addition, prolonged exposure to an augmented acoustic environment could improve age-related auditory changes. These ameliorative effects were shown in several types of mouse strains, as long as the acoustic environment was provided prior to the occurrence of severe hearing loss. In addition to delaying progressive hearing loss, acoustic stimuli could also protect hearing ability against damage by traumatic noise. In particular, a method called forward sound conditioning (i.e., prior exposure to moderate levels of sound) has been shown to reduce noise-induced hearing impairment in a number of mammalian species, including humans. Interestingly, recent report has suggested that low-level sound conditioning also reduces free radical-induced damage to hair cells, increases antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduces Cox-2 expression in cochlea, and can enhance cochlear sensitivity. Specifically, increased cochlear sensitivity was observed when distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and compound action potentials (CAPs) were measured. In addition to forward sound conditioning, backward sound conditioning (i.e., the use of acoustic stimuli after exposure to a traumatic noise) has been shown to protect hearing ability against acoustic trauma and to prevent the cortical map reorganization induced by traumatic noise. In this study, the investigators examine the effect of sound stimulation on hearing ability in human subjects.

Conditions

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes of pure-tone hearing thresholds after sound stimulation

  Pure-tone hearing thresholds of the baseline and the final point (after 2\~6 months)will be compared.

  2~6 months

Interventions

Sound stimulation BEHAVIORAL

Listening to sound stimuli at the lowest audible level.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female
• Age between 20 and 70 years
• Subjects should be able to use an mp3 player

You may not qualify if:

• Hearing loss more than 70 dB HL at any frequency
• More than 10 dB of air-bone gaps at more than 3 frequencies in pure-tone audiometry
• Ear infections, chronic middle ear disease or any abnormality of the ear canal or ear drum
• Temporary hearing loss
• Hearing aid user
• Pregnant females

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Earlogic Korea, Inc.: lead

Study Sites (1)

Earlogic Auditory Research Institute

Seoul, 121-270, South Korea

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hearing Loss; Hearing Disorders; Ear Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Eunyee Kwak, Ph.D.

  Earlogic Auditory Research Institute

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2011
• First Posted: September 15, 2011
• Study Start: September 1, 2011
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2012
• Study Completion: April 1, 2012
• Last Updated: April 3, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-04

Locations

KR (1)