NCT07192757NARecruitingAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Improving Speech in Noise Perception for Individuals With Age-related Hearing Loss

University of Florida

Start Date

12/1/2025

Completion Date

7/30/2026

Summary

Hearing loss, especially for speech perception in the presence of noise, may lead older individuals to withdraw from social situations. While hearing aids help amplify sound and are useful in many situations, they can be ineffective in noisy contexts. The proposed pilot study will evaluate taVNS for improving speech in noise perception in adults with age-related hearing loss.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 55 years to 80 years

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 55-80 years old * Normal hearing or age-related hearing loss (with or without hearing aids) Exclusion Criteria: * History of traumatic brain injury or noise trauma * Implanted medical devices (eg., pacemaker) or ferrous metal * Known history of heart conditions * Medications that impact neurotransmitters released by vagus nerve stimulation

Interventions

DEVICE

transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

DEVICE

Sham Control

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Conditions

Presbycusis

Locations

UF Health at the University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32610

United States