Dual Sensory Impairment of Vision and Hearing Clinical Trial
Official title:
Improving Communication With Formal/Informal Caregivers Among Older Adults With Dual Sensory Impairment: Feasibility of Hearing Intervention in a Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic Pilot
The aims of the Improving Communication with Formal/Informal Caregivers among Older Adults
with Dual Sensory Impairment: Feasibility of Hearing Intervention in a Low Vision
Rehabilitation Clinic (LVR) are:
Primary aims Aim 1 To characterize prevalence of objective hearing impairment (i.e. DSI)
among a clinical LVR population) in older adults (≥60 years) with English proficiency free
from moderate to severe depression or cognitive decline using the Hearing Handicap Inventory
for the Elderly (HHIE) assessment and an objective hearing evaluation.
Aim 2 To describe the perceived burden of care on primary caregiver (identified people who
assist with two or more activities of daily living. instrumental activities of daily living
(ADLs/Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs))of individuals with dual sensory
impairment (DSI) among a clinical LVR population in older adults (≥60 years) with English
proficiency free from moderate to severe depression or cognitive decline using the Zarit
Burden Interview questionnaire and qualitative interview data analyses.
Aim 3 To determine feasibility and benefit of a pilot manualized over-the-counter hearing
intervention program on LVR patients to address communication among a DSI population using
the Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire.
3A: Describe feasibility based on completion of pilot, drop-out rate, and semi-structured
interviews 3B: Describe perceived communication improvements based on semi-structured
interviews
The pilot is a prospective cohort study. Approximately 100 participants and their identified
people who assist with two or more ADLs/IADLs will be assessed for DSI prevalence and DSI
impact on communication. A sub-cohort of 10 participants with DSI will be provided a hearing
intervention and followed for 4-6 weeks to assess the over-the-counter hearing intervention
program's impact on communication among a DSI population and its identified people who assist
with two or more ADLs/IADLs.
Recruitment will be based at the Wilmer Eye Institute (East Baltimore location) LVR clinic.
Recruitment efforts will focus on older adults (≥60 years) with English proficiency attending
the LVR clinic. Caregivers will be identified based on self-report assistance with at least
two ADLs and/or IADLs.
The hearing intervention, for the sub-cohort of 10 individuals with DSI and their identified
people who assist with two or more ADLs/IADLs, consists of instruction and best-practices
provided by an occupational therapist on the utilization of a handheld amplifier (SuperEar
SE9000). Prior to the LVR session with the handheld amplifier, individuals with DSI will
complete a daily functioning (ADLs/IADLs) questionnaire (a measure of LVR success). The
occupational therapist will give participant a handheld amplifier (SuperEar SE9000) and
provide instruction on device use and best-practices (i.e. reducing background noise) to
improve communication for the patient-caregiver pairs.
Participant-caregiver pairs will utilize the device and communication strategies over a
4-6-week period between LVR visits. Upon return, pairs will complete semi-structured
interviews to elicit information about utilization (successes, barriers), impact on
communication, and open qualitative feedback. Participants and caregivers will complete
post-intervention functioning questionnaire and Zarit Burden Interview, respectively.
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| Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not yet recruiting |
NCT06362213 -
Gaining Insight Into Dual Sensory Loss
|