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Hearing DisabilityTRAILSNCT05766020

Training Listening Skills With the Inclusion of Cognitive Control

A study testing Listen training in people with Hearing Disability, run by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven at 1 site in Belgium.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Participating in spoken conversation constitutes a multitasking situation with concurrent demands on sensorimotor (auditory, postural) and cognitive functioning (memory, updating, task switching and inhibition). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 55 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Hearing Disability
What is being tested?
Listen training
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteBelgium
Study dates
3 Apr 2023to 30 Sep 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 55 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Clients who experience listening and communication difficulties.
  • Clients must not undergo any audiological rehabilitation (auditory training/hearing aid fitting) during the study.
  • Able to operate the training programme as an app on a tablet (e.g. clients have sufficient eyesight to see the exercises; clients must be able to operate the programme).
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Dutch-speaking, as all training material and counselling questions will be presented in Dutch.

Who cannot join

  • Severely visually impaired
  • Motorically impaired
  • Cognitively impaired

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Belgium1 site
  • KU Leuven, Experimental ORL, Dept Neurosciences

    Leuven, Vlaams Brabant, 3001

Other trials in Belgium

About this study

Participating in spoken conversation constitutes a multitasking situation with concurrent demands on sensorimotor (auditory, postural) and cognitive functioning (memory, updating, task switching and inhibition). As aging affects multisensory integration and cognitive control, these higher-order processes are likely to put accumulating constraints on listening as adults grow older. By training listening skills (not solely auditory skills), the investigators aim at improving overall communication and quality of life. Moreover, the investigators aim at freeing up cognitive resources in the listen task: the better one gets at a certain domain specific task, the less one needs to draw from other resources and, the more resources are free for another concurrent task. The interdisciplinary approach will inform us about ideal audiological rehabilitation or intervention approaches. Pre-posttests comprise behavioral measures to evaluate listening skills and transfer towards non-trained measures. The training is tablet-based and can be performed at home.

Read the detailed description

Goals of the study:

  • Investigate transfer of listening skills to non-trained listening.
  • To develop evidence-based guidelines for clinical audiological rehabilitation.
  • Investigate if the inclusion of cognitive control frees up cognitive resources to use for another concurrent task.
  • Inform about retention following listening training

All participants will be assessed 4 times, with a 4-week interval in between. Participants in the first arm will perform the training during the first two weeks. 4 weeks after training ended and 8 weeks after training ended, retention of training gains will be assessed. Participants in the second arm will perform the delayed training. This is to control for procedural learning effects. After 4 weeks they will start training for 4 weeks. After training retention of training gains will be assessed after 4 weeks. The third arm will start with active control training (listening to stories) for 4 weeks, followed by training for 4 weeks. After these 8 weeks, retention was measured 4 weeks later. Participants are randomly allocated to a group. The efficacy of training will be determined with a within-subject design (i.e. baseline session outcomes will be compared to the final session outcomes of the randomized control trial.

Being tested
Listen training

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Listen trainingBehavioural

    Auditory skills with the inclusion of cognitive control.

Study groups in NCT05766020
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Immediate training groupExperimentalParticipants in this group will train immediately for 4 weeks. Afterwards, they will not train for the 8 remaining weeks.
Receives: Behavioral: Listen training
Delayed Training GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive delayed training after 4 weeks of no training.
Receives: Behavioral: Listen training
Active control groupExperimentalParticipants in this group will perform an active control for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of training.
Receives: Behavioral: Listen training

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Speech in noise intelligibility

    LIST (Leuven intelligibility sentences test) sentences presented in speech-weighted noise. Participants are required to repeat sentences in noise. The Leuven Intelligibility Sentences Test (LIST) was specifically designed for speech perception in noise assessment in CI users. The test has high test-retest reliability and a steep slope making it very sensitive to small improvements in performance. An improvement of 2dB results in a clinically relevant improvement in speech discrimination in noise. Therefore, the primary endpoint to validate the active training will be an improvement of 2dB on speech perception in noise.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  2. Speech in noise intelligibility

    LIST (Leuven intelligibility sentences test) sentences presented in speech-weighted noise. Participants are required to repeat sentences in noise. The Leuven Intelligibility Sentences Test (LIST) was specifically designed for speech perception in noise assessment in CI users. The test has high test-retest reliability and a steep slope making it very sensitive to small improvements in performance. An improvement of 2dB results in a clinically relevant improvement in speech discrimination in noise. Therefore, the primary endpoint to validate the active training will be an improvement of 2dB on speech perception in noise.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  3. Speech in noise intelligibility

    LIST (Leuven intelligibility sentences test) sentences presented in speech-weighted noise. Participants are required to repeat sentences in noise. The Leuven Intelligibility Sentences Test (LIST) was specifically designed for speech perception in noise assessment in CI users. The test has high test-retest reliability and a steep slope making it very sensitive to small improvements in performance. An improvement of 2dB results in a clinically relevant improvement in speech discrimination in noise. Therefore, the primary endpoint to validate the active training will be an improvement of 2dB on speech perception in noise.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Speech in noise intelligibility

    LIST (Leuven intelligibility sentences test) sentences presented in speech-weighted noise. Participants are required to repeat sentences in noise. The Leuven Intelligibility Sentences Test (LIST) was specifically designed for speech perception in noise assessment in CI users. The test has high test-retest reliability and a steep slope making it very sensitive to small improvements in performance. An improvement of 2dB results in a clinically relevant improvement in speech discrimination in noise. Therefore, the primary endpoint to validate the active training will be an improvement of 2dB on speech perception in noise.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  5. phoneme identification in noise

    The consonant identification task in noise consisted of 12 Dutch/Flemish vowels presented in an /a/ context. Stimuli were produced by a female speaker. In order not to obtain 100% at the start, stimuli were presented in speech-weighted noise.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  6. phoneme identification in noise

    The consonant identification task in noise consisted of 12 Dutch/Flemish vowels presented in an /a/ context. Stimuli were produced by a female speaker. In order not to obtain 100% at the start, stimuli were presented in speech-weighted noise.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  7. phoneme identification in noise

    The consonant identification task in noise consisted of 12 Dutch/Flemish vowels presented in an /a/ context. Stimuli were produced by a female speaker. In order not to obtain 100% at the start, stimuli were presented in speech-weighted noise.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  8. phoneme identification in noise

    The consonant identification task in noise consisted of 12 Dutch/Flemish vowels presented in an /a/ context. Stimuli were produced by a female speaker. In order not to obtain 100% at the start, stimuli were presented in speech-weighted noise.

    Measured: 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (16)
  1. The temporal modulation Transfer function

    With this task, we measure the modulation threshold that listeners need to distinguish between unmodulated and modulated noise, which is related to speech understanding.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  2. The temporal modulation Transfer function

    With this task, we measure the modulation threshold that listeners need to distinguish between unmodulated and modulated noise, which is related to speech understanding.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  3. The temporal modulation Transfer function

    With this task, we measure the modulation threshold that listeners need to distinguish between unmodulated and modulated noise, which is related to speech understanding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. The temporal modulation Transfer function

    With this task, we measure the modulation threshold that listeners need to distinguish between unmodulated and modulated noise, which is related to speech understanding.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  5. Dual-task listening postural control

    This task aims at identifying the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. Participants will perform a listening-posture dual-task, where they have to maintain their balance while listening and repeating heard sentences.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  6. Dual-task listening postural control

    This task aims at identifying the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. Participants will perform a listening-posture dual-task, where they have to maintain their balance while listening and repeating heard sentences.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  7. Dual-task listening postural control

    This task aims at identifying the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. Participants will perform a listening-posture dual-task, where they have to maintain their balance while listening and repeating heard sentences.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  8. Dual-task listening postural control

    This task aims at identifying the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. Participants will perform a listening-posture dual-task, where they have to maintain their balance while listening and repeating heard sentences.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  9. Stroop task

    The Stroop task assesses inhibitory control by requiring participants to identify the color in which a symbol or word is presented while ignoring the word's meaning. Participants were asked to respond to the color of the word while ignoring the written word, which is a color itself.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  10. Stroop task

    The Stroop task assesses inhibitory control by requiring participants to identify the color in which a symbol or word is presented while ignoring the word's meaning. Participants were asked to respond to the color of the word while ignoring the written word, which is a color itself.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  11. Stroop task

    The Stroop task assesses inhibitory control by requiring participants to identify the color in which a symbol or word is presented while ignoring the word's meaning. Participants were asked to respond to the color of the word while ignoring the written word, which is a color itself.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  12. Stroop task

    The Stroop task assesses inhibitory control by requiring participants to identify the color in which a symbol or word is presented while ignoring the word's meaning. Participants were asked to respond to the color of the word while ignoring the written word, which is a color itself.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  13. EAS (Effort Assessment Scale)

    EAS is a validated scale to measure listening effort. The EAS consists of 6 items that are scored by the client on a 10-point scale, no effort to lots of effort. The EAS questions were translated to Dutch for this study.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  14. EAS (Effort Assessment Scale)

    EAS is a validated scale to measure listening effort. The EAS consists of 6 items that are scored by the client on a 10-point scale, no effort to lots of effort. The EAS questions were translated to Dutch for this study.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  15. SSQ12 (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale)

    The SSQ12 is a short version of the validated Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. This short form was developed for use in clinical research and rehabilitation settings. Participants score each questions on a ruler (visual analogue scale) from 0 to 10. Questions were translated to Dutch.

    Measured: 0 weeks

  16. SSQ12 (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale)

    The SSQ12 is a short version of the validated Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. This short form was developed for use in clinical research and rehabilitation settings. Participants score each questions on a ruler (visual analogue scale) from 0 to 10. Questions were translated to Dutch.

    Measured: 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Mar 2023
  2. Study start3 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion5 Feb 2024
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2024 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
60 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05766020
Sponsor's protocol ID
S63310
Acronym
TRAILS
Status last verified
Aug 2024
First submitted
15 Feb 2023
Last updated
9 Aug 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • van Wieringen A, Wouters J. Natural vowel and consonant recognition by Laura cochlear implantees. Ear Hear. 1999 Apr;20(2):89-103. doi: 10.1097/00003446-199904000-00001.

    PubMed 10229511
  • van Wieringen A, Wouters J. LIST and LINT: sentences and numbers for quantifying speech understanding in severely impaired listeners for Flanders and the Netherlands. Int J Audiol. 2008 Jun;47(6):348-55. doi: 10.1080/14992020801895144.

    PubMed 18569107
  • Noble W. Hearing, hearing impairment, and the audible world: a theoretical essay. Audiology. 1983;22(4):325-38. doi: 10.3109/00206098309072793.

    PubMed 6615338
  • Alhanbali S, Dawes P, Lloyd S, Munro KJ. Self-Reported Listening-Related Effort and Fatigue in Hearing-Impaired Adults. Ear Hear. 2017 Jan/Feb;38(1):e39-e48. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000361.

    PubMed 27541332
  • Van Wilderode M, Van Humbeeck N, Krampe RT, van Wieringen A. Enhancing Speech Perception in Noise Through Home-Based Competing Talker Training. Ear Hear. 2025 Jul-Aug 01;46(4):856-870. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001631. Epub 2025 Feb 10.

    PubMed 39924678

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Listen training in people with Hearing Disability, run by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven at 1 site in Belgium.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Aug 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Belgium. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Speech in noise intelligibility (time frame: 0 weeks). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05766020, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Aug 2024.

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