Quantification of Visually Evoked Cortical Potentials in Individuals With Hearing Loss

Launched by DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER · Oct 25, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to use a test called the "Visual Evoked Potential" (VEP) to better understand how the brains of individuals with hearing loss respond to visual images. The researchers hope that by measuring a specific brain response, known as the "P300," they can learn more about the connection between hearing loss and brain activity. This information may help improve treatments for people who use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have some level of hearing loss. The researchers are looking for people who are current or new patients at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center's Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) clinic. However, individuals with certain conditions, like severe neurological disorders or blindness, will not be eligible. If you choose to join, you can expect to undergo tests that measure your brain's response to visual cues, and these results will be compared with standard hearing tests to explore how they may predict success with hearing devices.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion
• • Subjects will be recruited from the Otolaryngology/Audiology clinic at DHMC with the goal of enrolling subjects with a variety of degrees of hearing loss and central auditory processing dysfunction.
• • Age \> 18 y/o.
• • Current and new patients receiving care in the DHMC Otolaryngology clinic or from the employees of Dartmouth College, DHMC, and the community, will be included as allowed under COVID guidelines.
• • Exclusion
• • Patients with known brain pathology (e.g., CNS tumors, CVA diagnosis, etc...) will be excluded.
• • Patients with severe neurological or neuropsychological disorders will be excluded.
• • Patients with known seizure history will be excluded.
• • Patients with known blindness will be excluded.
• * The following special populations will not be included:
• • Adults unable to consent
• • Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
• • Prisoners