HEARS-NPS: Addressing Hearing Loss as a Common Unmet Contributor of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Summary

This randomized controlled trial study aims to evaluate a revised hearing care intervention for older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The community-delivered hearing care intervention utilizes tailored strategies to assess impact on communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and care partner distress.

Interventions

• HEARS-NPS device · DEVICE

  Tailored fitting and programming of a personal sound amplifier accompanied by an aural rehabilitation component.

• HEARS-NPS program · BEHAVIORAL

  Tailored aural rehabilitation for participant and care partner.

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 60 - 100 years old
* English-speaking
* Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease or other related dementia according to the core clinical criteria outlined in the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Alzheimer's Association Guidelines
* Speech frequency pure tone average (0.5- 4 kHz) \>25 db in the better-hearing ear; adult onset hearing loss
* Availability of caregiver/study partner who is 18+ to participate in all study-related visits and who provides care supervision
* Stable (for 2 weeks or longer) dosing of medication (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics) for neuropsychiatric symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current self-reported use of hearing aid or amplification device
* Medical contraindication to use hearing aids ( e.g. draining ears)
* Inability to participate in the 1-month follow up

Sites (1)

• Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center, Baltimore, Maryland · RECRUITING