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
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training system, Control.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Auditory-cognitive Dual-task Training. Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
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.
Interventions
- Behavioral Web-based gamified auditory-cognitive sequential dual-task training system
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 l - Behavioral Control
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.
Primary outcome measures
- Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly [Time frame: at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- The Cantonese Hearing in Noise Test [Time frame: at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24]
- The Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test [Time frame: at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24]
- The Chinese Trial Making Test Part A& B [Time frame: at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24]
- Dual task of listening and working memory [Time frame: at week 6, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and week 24]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 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 \[score of ≦2 on the 5-item Abbreviated Memory Inventory for the Chinese (AMIC)\].
Exclusion criteria
- 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.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07730775 · 23240731