Strengthening the Ear-to-brain Connection in Older Adults With Hearing Loss Through Engaging Web-based Gamified Auditory-cognitive Dual-task Training: a Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07730775 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 23240731
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 164
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Abstract Objectives To assess the effectiveness of a web-based gamified auditory-cognitive dual-task training (ACDT) in improving the everyday listening abilities of older adults with hearing loss (HL), including speech perception performance, cognition, and self-reported hearing. Hypothesis to be tested ACDT participants will show significantly greater improvements in 1) self-reported hearing; 2) speech perception-in-noise; 3) attention; 4) reasoning; and 5) dual-task of listening and working memory compared to the control group at week 6, immediately post-intervention, and week 24. Design and subjects A prospective, single-blinded, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial with individual semi-structured interviews. 164 Chinese adults aged 60 years or older, who speak Cantonese or Putonghua, and have mild-to-moderate HL with a pure-tone average of 20-50 dB across octave frequencies 0.5 to 4kHz in both ears. Study instruments A web-based gamified auditory-cognitive dual-task training. Interventions This is a 12-week program conducted five times a week, with each session lasting 60 minutes, following a sequential dual-task training design. Each session includes auditory training in speech-in-noise, rapid speech, and competing speaker, and cognitive training focusing on executive function, perceptual-motor ability, memory, and complex attention. Main outcome measures Self-reported hearing (untrained); Speech perception in noise (trained), attention in listening and sustained selective attention (trained), reasoning (trained), and dual-task of listening and working memory; complex span working memory (trained). Data analysis Descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test or chi square test, generalized estimating equation and thematic analysis will be used. Expected results ACDT significantly improves the everyday listening abilities of older adults with HL.

Conditions

Auditory-cognitive Dual-task Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly

  will be measured using the Chinese Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), which is a 25-item validated questionnaire that quantifies the emotional and social/situational effects of self-perceived hearing impairment to quantify hearing-related quality of life.

  at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• The Cantonese Hearing in Noise Test

  at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24

• The Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test

  at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24

• The Chinese Trial Making Test Part A& B

  at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24

• Dual task of listening and working memory

  at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24

Study Arms (2)

A web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training

EXPERIMENTAL

A web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training (ACDT) will be provided to participants. Each participant will receive a 12-week program conducted five times a week, with each session lasting 60 minutes, following a sequential dual-task training design.

Behavioral: Web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training system

Crossword puzzles control group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will be instructed to complete web-based Chinese crossword puzzles 60 minutes per day and five days a week.

Behavioral: Control

Interventions

Web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training system BEHAVIORAL

The intervention is a 12-week sequential dual-task training program delivered five times per week for 60 minutes per session. Each session includes 5 minutes of volume adjustment and orientation exercises, 25 minutes of adaptive auditory training in speech-in-noise, rapid speech, and competing-speaker listening, 25 minutes of culturally tailored cognitive games targeting executive function, memory, attention, and perceptual-motor skills, and a 5-minute wrap-up with communication strategies and long-term memory recall. The program uses real-life scenarios, individualized difficulty adjustment, audiovisual guidance, and gamified features such as praise, fireworks, likes, and leaderboards to enhance engagement.

A web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training

Control BEHAVIORAL

Participants will be instructed to complete web-based Chinese crossword puzzles 60 minutes per day and five days a week. Medium difficulty level will be selected for participants according to previous research.

Crossword puzzles control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Ethnic Chinese aged 60 years and above, who speak Cantonese or Putonghua;
• Mild-to-moderate peripheral hearing loss diagnosed by a pure-tone average of 20-50 dB across octave frequencies of 0.5-4kHz in both ears;
• Not using hearing aids;
• Sensorineural hearing loss (defined as an air-bone gap across 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz\<15 dB); and 5) No cognitive impairment \[score of ≦2 on the 5-item Abbreviated Memory Inventory for the Chinese (AMIC)\].

You may not qualify if:

• Previously took part in a training intervention study;
• Diagnosed with a major neurocognitive disorder;
• A history of symptomatic stroke or other disease of the central nervous system; speech/ language disorders;
• A serious medical or psychiatric illness (e.g., severe depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder) or a visual impairment that would interfere with engaging in web-based training.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Central Study Contacts

Ivy Yan Zhao

CONTACT

+8527664550; yan-ivy.zhao@polyu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2026
• First Posted: July 28, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 14, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 13, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 13, 2029
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share