Effects of Cognitive Training on Speech Perception

NCT02294812 | Terminated

• 1 other identifier: NCIL-HL-CT
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this study, the investigators are testing whether cognitive training can lead to improvements in speech perception for individuals with hearing loss. Individuals will complete 20 hours of cognitive training that is designed to improve cognitive abilities such as short term memory and attention. The investigators predict that cognitive training that improves the cognitive abilities affected by hearing loss will improve speech perception.

Conditions

Hearing Loss; Deafness and Auditory Perception

Keywords

Hearing Loss; Speech Perception; Cognitive Training; Cognitive Fitness; Memory, Short-Term

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Speech Perception in Noise Test - Improvement in speech perception accuracy from baseline to post-training for high and low predictability sentences

  Sentences of high predictability and low predictability are played with multi-user talker babble. Participants must repeat the last word of each sentence as they heard it. The primary outcome measure will be the accuracy for repeating the sentence.

  Baseline, Weeks 2, 10, and 18

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Working Memory Cognitive Training - Improvements in working memory abilities from baseline

  Weeks 2, 10, and 18

• Brain Performance Test

  Weeks 2 and 10

• Attention Cognitive Training - Improvements in attention abilities from baseline

  Weeks 2, 10, and 18

Study Arms (3)

Control, cognitive training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the control arm will receive cognitive training for cognitive abilities not affected by age-related hearing loss.

Behavioral: Cognitive training

Experimental, cognitive training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental arm will receive cognitive training for cognitive abilities affected by age-related hearing loss.

Behavioral: Cognitive training

Active Control, crossword training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will undergo crossword puzzle training. The purpose of this group is control for any effects that may be due to engaging in cognitive training.

Behavioral: Cognitive training

Interventions

Cognitive training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in eight weeks of training that focuses on improving various cognitive abilities. For example, short term memory. Cognitive training will take place 30 minutes per day, five days per week, for eight weeks. Training will be done in the participant's own home using web-based software. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the active control group, the control cognitive training group, or the experimental cognitive training group following the second study visit. After eight weeks, participants will no longer partake in training.

Active Control, crossword training; Control, cognitive training; Experimental, cognitive training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Able to come to Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for study visits
• Adults (50 years or older) with mild to moderate hearing loss
• Access to an internet-connected device that is able to use Flash media, basic computer skills
• Medically stable participants
• Not currently taking medication that may affect brain function (e.g., anti-anxiety medication)
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with neurological conditions such as epilepsy or concussions will be excluded for safety reasons
• Participants who are not native English speakers (materials used in the study are only in English)
• Participants who are unable to provide consent
• Participants with impaired cognition (assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
• Participants with high accuracy on the Speech Perception in Noise task at the second study visit (to eliminate participants who may be performing at ceiling level)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aaron Newman: lead

Study Sites (1)

NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab, Dalhousie University

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada

Location

Related Links

• NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hearing Loss; Deafness

Interventions

Cognitive Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurological Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

• Aaron J Newman, PhD

  Dalhousie University, Canada

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Neuropsychologist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 2014
• First Posted: November 19, 2014
• Study Start: September 1, 2016
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2020
• Study Completion: September 1, 2020
• Last Updated: January 27, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)