Cochlear-like implant to help balance in older adults
Part of Brain & nervous system, Ear, nose & throat, Injuries & trauma clinical trials.
This study tests a surgically placed implant aimed at improving balance and eye-stabilizing reflexes in older adults who have long-lasting, hard-to-treat inner-ear balance problems. You may be able to help researchers learn whether the device plus training can reduce dizziness and improve movement stability.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- Be between 65 and 90 years old and have a long-lasting (over 1 year) bilateral balance problem that did not improve enough with vestibular rehabilitation (balance exercises)
- Have specific hearing test results: the ear to be implanted is no better than the other ear, and the other ear has enough hearing for communication if implant hearing is lost
- Have severe/profound inner-ear (labyrinth) function loss on heat/water balance testing
- Have brain and ear imaging (MRI/CT) that shows the inner-ear and balance nerve pathways are open/usable for surgery and that there are no certain growths or central brain causes
- Be willing and able to travel for study visits, complete testing, and do vestibular rehabilitation exercises consistently
- Be medically able to undergo surgery and device activation/deactivation, including following vaccine and safety/medication requirements; also, pregnancy is not allowed during the study
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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