Healthy HeaAring for Healthy Ageing: Data-driven Hearing Rehabilitation Intervention to Promote Healthy Hearing

Launched by KUOPIO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jul 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Healthy HeaAring for Healthy Ageing (HAHA) trial is studying a new approach to help older adults with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. The researchers believe that treating hearing loss early and in a personalized way can improve not only hearing but also thinking skills and overall quality of life. Participants in the trial will be divided into two groups: one will receive a specially designed hearing rehabilitation program based on their individual needs, while the other will receive standard care.

To join the study, participants need to be community-dwelling adults who are first-time users of hearing aids and speak Finnish. They must have specific levels of hearing loss and not have any other serious health conditions that could interfere with their ability to participate. Those in the trial can expect to receive support and assessments related to their hearing and cognitive health, contributing to a better understanding of how hearing rehabilitation can benefit older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Mild to moderately severe sensorineural HI (PTA (0,5-4kHz) between 20-64 dB (HL), as per Global Burden of Disease Expert Group on Hearing loss criteria)
• • Community-dwelling, i.e. living at home / not living in a care home or nursing home
• • Proficiency in Finnish language
• • First-time hearing aid user
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Conductive hearing loss (air-bone gap more than 20 dB HL in two consecutive frequencies)
• • Difference between hearing levels of the ears is more than 15dB (HL) in three consecutive frequencies
• • Hearing aid contraindication
• • Previously diagnosed dementia, or current use of cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine. If there is a current ongoing diagnostic process for suspected dementia, the decision on eligibility will be made by an experienced study physician based on medical records and clinical judgement.
• • Any health conditions severely impairing vision, mobility, communication, and/or ability to participate in study visits and complete study assessments, as judged by the study nurse and/or physician.