Speech Perception, Spatial Perception and Satisfaction Outcomes of Fitting Based on Hearing In Noise Ability

August 8, 2026 updated by: Melek Başak ÖZKAN, Istanbul Aydın University
Hearing speech in the presence of background noise is a significant challenge for those with hearing loss. Being able to hear speech in noise has been rated as the most sought-after feature in hearing aids by hearing aid users. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of adaptation to hearing test in noise on speech perception, spatial perception and satisfaction in bilateral hearing aid users. The development process of speech understanding in noise in individuals with hearing loss over the age of 50 will be monitored with ACT and ecological-HINT tests. Spatial perception will be assessed with the Speech, Spatial Perception and Hearing Quality (SHRQ) Scale, which is a scale that evaluates the current hearing quality in adults. The hearing aid satisfaction process of the participants will be assessed with the APHAB survey.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Hypotheses:

H0: Using ACT in the fitting is not more effective than the traditional fitting method in improving speech understanding performance in noise in hearing aid users.

H1: Using ACT in the fitting is more effective than the traditional fitting method in improving speech understanding performance in noise in hearing aid users.

H0: Using ACT in the fitting is not more effective than the traditional fitting method in improving spatial perception performance in hearing aid users.

H1: Using ACT in the fitting is more effective than the traditional fitting method in improving spatial perception performance in hearing aid users.

H0: Using ACT in the fitting does not increase speech understanding performance in noise in hearing aid users.

H1: Using ACT in the fitting increases speech understanding performance in noise in hearing aid users.

H0: Using ACT in the fitting has no effect on improving spatial perception performance in hearing aid users.

H1: Using ACT in the fitting has an effect on improving spatial perception performance in hearing aid users.

H0: Using ACT in fitting has no effect on increasing hearing aid satisfaction in hearing aid users.

H1: Using ACT in fitting has an effect on increasing hearing aid satisfaction in hearing aid users.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
42

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Kucukcekmece
      • Istanbul, Kucukcekmece, Turkey (Türkiye), 34295
        • Istanbul Aydın University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Medium (41-55 dB) / moderate to severe (56-70 dB), sensorineural hearing loss (Goodman, 1965)
  • SDS score between 70-100%
  • Being a bilateral hearing aid user
  • Being a user of Oticon, Philips, Bernafon hearing aids
  • Being between 18-50 years of age
  • Signing an informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Conditions with variable hearing loss such as Meniere's disease, ongoing treatment with ototoxic drugs
  • Complaining with tinnitus
  • Low cognitive capacity: Scoring below 24 on the Standardized Mini Mental Test
  • Not signing an informed consent form

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Experimental Group
The ACT method will be applied to the study group in fitting, and the results will be recorded by applying the KUİK scale and APHAB survey after fitting. They will be called for control in the 1st week and 1st month, and fitting and scale evaluations will be made and the results will be recorded. Participants' discrimination in noise with ACT and Turkish Matrix Test, evaluation of spatial perception with the KUİK scale, and hearing aid satisfaction with the APHAB survey will be evaluated in the initial and 1st month time periods.
Diagnostic test: ACT method in fitting
The ACT diagnostic test is a suprathreshold, non-language-specific test that measures an individual's hearing ability in real-world noisy environments to determine the level of assistance needed in noise. The test uses the audiogram shape and levels to ensure the correct stimulus intensity is applied. The ACT test then uses the patient's audiogram to present a suprathreshold stimulus (a siren-like sound) to objectively map their hearing ability in noisy environments. In other words, the audiogram measures quantity, i.e. hearing ability, while the ACT measures the quality of hearing. This makes the ACT a robust assessment that reflects an individual's real-world hearing abilities.
Other Names:
  • hearing in noise
Active Comparator: Control Group
The control group will be fitted with traditional fittings, and the results will be recorded using the KUİK scale and APHAB survey after fitting. Fitting and scale assessments will be made at week 1 and month 1, and the results will be recorded. Participants' ability to discriminate in noise with the ACT and Turkish Matrix Test, spatial perception assessment with the KUİK scale, and hearing aid satisfaction with the APHAB survey will be assessed at the beginning and month 1.
Diagnostic test: Traditional fitting
The control group will be fitted with traditional fittings, and the results will be recorded using the KUİK scale and APHAB survey after fitting. They will be called for a check-up at week 1 and month 1, and fitting and scale assessments will be made, and the results will be recorded. Participants' ability to discriminate in noise with the ACT and Turkish Matrix Test, spatial perception with the KUİK scale, and hearing aid satisfaction with the APHAB survey will be assessed at the beginning and month 1. All findings will be compared and statistically analyzed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Eco-HINT
Time Frame: 1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting
Speech-in-noise performance was assessed using the ecologically valid Hearing in Noise Test (eco-HINT). Speech reception thresholds were measured under aided and unaided listening conditions. Lower scores indicate better speech-in-noise performance.
1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Speech, Spatial Perception and Hearing Quality Scale
Time Frame: 1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting
The individual who is applied the scale evaluates himself/herself and answers each question between 0 and 10 points. All scores are added up and divided by 49 to obtain the "General KUİK score". The scores under the heading of Speech Perception are added up and divided by 14 to obtain the KA score, the scores under the heading of Spatial Perception are added up and divided by 17 to obtain the UA score, and the scores under the heading of Hearing Quality are added up and divided by 18 to obtain the İK score.
1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting
APHAB survey
Time Frame: 1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting
APHAB is a survey that allows us to numerically measure the benefits and satisfaction of individuals with hearing loss from their hearing aids in daily hearing situations. Survey questions are answered according to two different listening situations: "without my hearing aid" and "with my hearing aid".
1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT)
Time Frame: Time Frame: 1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting
The ACT is a suprathreshold, non-language-specific test that measures an individual's ability to hear in real-world noisy environments to determine the level of assistance needed in noise. ACT values are determined by level of intensity. A normal ACT value is between -4 and +4 dB nCL. 4 to 7 dB nCL indicates mild loss, 7 to 10 dB nCL indicates moderate loss, and 10 to 16 dB nCL indicates profound loss.
Time Frame: 1 week and 1 month after hearing aid fitting

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Istanbul Aydın University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Sule Cekic, associate professor, Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
  • Study Director: Umıt Can Cetinkaya, assistant professor, Istanbul Aydın University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 13, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 2, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 31, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 8, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 8, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 61351342/020-385

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

To ensure the privacy and confidentiality of participants, individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Since the study involves hearing aid users, it is extremely important to protect the integrity of their personal data. Furthermore, the guidelines of the ethics committee and institutional policies require strict data protection to prevent possible misuse. Therefore, IPD will remain confidential and will not be made public.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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