Exploration of the Functional Effect of Different Hearing Aid Noise Reduction Algorithms in an Ecologically Valid Conversational Situation

Launched by SEBASTIAN GRIEPENTROG · May 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different noise reduction features in Sonova brand hearing aids, like those made by Phonak, help people with hearing loss during conversations. The researchers want to understand how well these new sound technologies work and whether they improve hearing in real-life situations. Participants will be asked to wear the hearing aids and provide feedback on their experiences, while also undergoing specific tests to measure their hearing performance.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between 65 and 74 years old, speak and understand German well, and have been using hearing aids for at least six months. They should also have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears. During the trial, participants can expect to wear hearing aids, complete questionnaires, and share their listening experiences. It's important to note that certain conditions, like severe hearing loss in one ear or specific medical issues, may prevent someone from participating. The trial is not yet recruiting, so interested individuals will need to wait for further announcements.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Good written and spoken German language skills
• • No suffering from any speech disorders
• • Experienced hearing aid user (min. 6 months)
• • Ability to stand and walk during the experiment
• • Ability to fill in a questionnaire conscientiously
• • Ability to produce a reliable hearing test result
• • Ability to describe listening experiences/impressions
• • The audiogram is in the fitting range of the hearing aid
• • The audiogram is in the range of mild to moderate hearing losses (N2 - N4)
• • Hearing loss in both ears
• • Informed consent form
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Contraindications to the medical device
• • Unaidable hearing loss in one or both ears
• • Acute tinnitus (in either one ear and occurrence for less than 3 months)
• • Anatomical deformity of one or both ears
• • Single-sided deafness
• • Unwillingness to wear the investigational device during the investigational visits
• • Active pacemaker implant
• • Ear canals are too narrow to take ear impressions
• • Ear canals are too narrow for the use of customized earpieces
• • Uncomfortable loudness threshold less than 80 dB for at least one measured frequency
• • Known hypersensitivity or allergy against synthetic materials
• • Acute symptoms of vertigo or dizziness
• • Reported Parkinson's disease