Can ear stimulation improve hearing in noise?
Part of Brain & nervous system, Ear, nose & throat, Injuries & trauma clinical trials.
This study tests whether a gentle, noninvasive ear stimulation device can help people hear speech better in noisy places. It is for people who have had a traumatic brain injury or those with normal hearing.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You must be between 25 and 55 years old.
- You must be fluent in English.
- You either have a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a blast or physical trauma, OR you have never had a TBI (normal hearing group).
- You cannot have other serious brain diseases (like major stroke, seizures), severe medical conditions (like heart failure or kidney disease on dialysis), or certain psychiatric illnesses (like schizophrenia).
- You cannot have abused drugs or prescription medications in the last two months.
- You cannot have any condition that makes the ear stimulation unsafe, such as metal in the left ear, a heart condition, taking specific brain-medications, or having an implanted device (like a pacemaker).
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
Similar studies
Other trials that look related to this one.
This study tests if a gentle, noninvasive nerve stimulation (on the neck) combined with computerized thinking exercises can help people recovering from a traumatic brain injury improve memory and attention. It is for adults currently in inpatient rehab who can use a keyboard and are medically stable.
This trial tests if a gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (a nerve in the neck) can help people regain consciousness after a severe traumatic brain injury. It is for patients who are in a coma or minimally conscious state, and the treatment is given along with standard ICU care.
This study tests whether a gentle electrical stimulation applied to a nerve in the ear can help improve speech and language abilities in people who have had trouble speaking since a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The goal is to see if this non-invasive treatment can help rewire the brain to recover language skills.
This study tests a new way to help people with age-related hearing loss understand conversations in noisy environments. It might improve your ability to hear clearly when there is background noise.
This study tests a gentle ear stimulation device that activates a nerve when you move your arm or leg, to see if it helps your recovery after a stroke or brain/spinal cord injury. If you still have some weakness, this could be a way to boost your rehabilitation.
This study tests if a gentle, non-invasive nerve stimulation device can help improve attention and memory in veterans with PTSD, depression, or mild brain injury. It uses a small device on the ear to stimulate a nerve that may influence brain function.
Hear when a new Traumatic Brain Injury trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.