MCI Speech in Noise

Launched by DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER · Oct 24, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "MCI Speech in Noise," is studying how well people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can hear soft sounds and how their brains understand these sounds compared to healthy individuals. The researchers want to find out if the ability to hear and process sounds can help them understand cognitive changes in people with MCI. They believe that individuals with MCI will perform worse on hearing and cognitive tests than those without MCI.

To participate, individuals must be aged 55 to 80 and either diagnosed with MCI or considered cognitively normal. Participants will undergo various hearing assessments, cognitive tests, and complete some questionnaires. It's important to note that those with certain health issues, severe hearing loss, or other specific conditions might not be eligible. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and it offers a chance to contribute to valuable research that could improve understanding of MCI and its effects on hearing and brain function.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults diagnosed with or suspected to have MCI (for MCI group) or are cognitively normal (for Control group)
• • Absence of other risk factors that might affect CAP (Central Auditory Processing) performance (e.g., active ear infections, congenital developmental delay, severe hearing loss)
• • Age 55-80
• • Normal hearing sensitivity (\<40 dB HL Pure Tone Average (average of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz) thresholds bilaterally
• • Normal middle ear function defined by tympanometry (0.3-2.0 ml)
• • Native English speaker
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Active ear infections or abnormal middle ear pathology
• • Other health condition prohibiting the completion of the CAP test battery
• • Mild to profound peripheral hearing loss (\>40 dB (decibel) HL (hearing loss) Pure Tone Average (average of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz) bilaterally
• • Adults unable to consent
• • Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
• • Prisoners
• • History of CNS (Central Nervous System) disorder that might severely impact cognitive function (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neurosyphilis, intracranial tumors, history of significant head trauma with loss of consciousness (≥30 min), and cerebrovascular disease)
• • Severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
• • Current, uncontrolled medical condition that could affect cognition (e.g., hypertension)
• • History of substance use disorder within the (other than nicotine/caffeine)
• • Non-correctable severe hearing or vision loss
• • Use of "Cognition Enhancing Drugs"
• • Frequent, severe headaches (occasional headaches or migraines are fine)