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Effects of Auditory Fatigue on Central Auditory Processing in Adults With Normal Hearing

6 novembre 2026 aggiornato da: Büşra Özbay Sekibağ, Istanbul Nisantasi University

Investigation of the Effects of Auditory Fatigue on Central Auditory Processing Performance

This study aims to investigate how auditory fatigue caused by a prolonged and demanding listening task affects central auditory processing abilities in adults with normal hearing. Central auditory processing refers to how the brain processes and interprets sounds, including the ability to recognize differences in sound timing and patterns.

A total of 60 adults aged 18-40 years will participate. Participants will be divided into two groups based on their occupational listening demands. One group will include 30 individuals working in professions that require frequent and sustained verbal communication, such as simultaneous interpreters, speech and language therapists, special education teachers, and psychologists. The comparison group will include 30 individuals whose occupations do not require intensive and continuous verbal communication.

All participants will undergo hearing assessments and central auditory processing tests before and after a 60-minute listening task involving Turkish speech materials presented with background noise from multiple speakers. Participants will also rate their perceived auditory fatigue, listening effort, and task demands before and after the listening task.

The study will examine changes in auditory processing performance following the listening task and determine whether these changes differ between the two occupational groups. The findings may help researchers and clinicians better understand how auditory fatigue influences auditory processing test results.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Non ancora reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

Central auditory processing involves the neural mechanisms responsible for analyzing and interpreting auditory information beyond peripheral hearing sensitivity. Temporal resolution and temporal pattern recognition are important components of central auditory processing and can be assessed using behavioral auditory tests.

Prolonged listening under demanding conditions may increase listening effort and the use of cognitive resources, potentially contributing to auditory fatigue. Although previous research has investigated listening effort and fatigue in relation to speech perception, cognitive demands, and subjective experiences, evidence regarding the effects of experimentally induced acute auditory fatigue on behavioral central auditory processing performance remains limited.

This study is designed as a non-randomized, quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest investigation involving two groups with different occupational listening demands. The study will include 60 adults aged 18-40 years with normal peripheral hearing, with 30 participants in each group.

The first group will consist of individuals employed in occupations requiring sustained verbal communication, active speech listening, and auditory attention, including simultaneous interpreters, speech and language therapists, special education teachers, and psychologists conducting regular client consultations. The comparison group will consist of individuals whose occupational responsibilities do not require intensive and continuous verbal communication. The groups will be matched as closely as possible in terms of age, sex, and educational level.

Before the experimental listening task, participants will undergo otoscopic examination, tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry, and speech audiometry to assess peripheral hearing status and determine eligibility.

Central auditory processing performance will be assessed using three behavioral tests:

  • Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN), assessing temporal resolution.
  • Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), assessing temporal pattern recognition based on frequency patterns.
  • Duration Pattern Test (DPT), assessing temporal pattern recognition based on duration patterns.

Participants will also complete Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessments of perceived auditory fatigue, listening effort, and task demands.

Following baseline assessments, all participants will complete a standardized 60-minute experimental listening task developed using Turkish Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-TR) speech materials presented with multi-talker babble noise. The task is intended to induce acute auditory fatigue under controlled listening conditions.

Immediately after the listening task, the GIN, FPT, and DPT assessments will be repeated. Subjective auditory fatigue, listening effort, and perceived task demands will also be reassessed using VAS measures.

The primary analyses will examine changes in central auditory processing performance before and after the listening task and evaluate whether these changes differ between occupational groups. Group, time, and group-by-time interaction effects will be investigated using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance when statistical assumptions are satisfied. Associations between changes in subjective measures and behavioral auditory processing performance will also be examined using appropriate correlation analyses.

All participants will undergo the same standardized assessment procedures and experimental listening protocol. Familiarization procedures and standardized testing conditions will be used to reduce potential measurement variability and practice effects.

The study is expected to contribute to understanding the relationship between experimentally induced auditory fatigue and central auditory processing performance and may provide useful information for interpreting behavioral central auditory processing assessments in clinical and research settings.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

60

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Luoghi di studio

    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turchia (Türkiye)
        • Istanbul Nisantasi University, NeoTech Campus Audiometry Laboratory
        • Contatto:
        • Investigatore principale:
          • Burak Ömür Çakır, Prof. of Otolaryngology
        • Sub-investigatore:
          • Büşra Özbay Sekibağ, MSc., Aud.

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

Da 18 anni a 40 anni (Adulto)

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Sessi ammissibili allo studio

Tutto

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged between 18 and 40 years.
  • Willingness to participate in the study and provision of written informed consent.
  • Completion of the online participation form.
  • Sufficient proficiency in Turkish to understand instructions and complete the auditory assessments.
  • Bilaterally normal otoscopic findings.
  • Normal middle ear function as determined by tympanometric assessment.
  • Normal hearing thresholds on pure-tone audiometry.
  • For the high occupational listening demands group: Current employment as a simultaneous interpreter, speech and language therapist, special education teacher, or psychologist, with regular occupational responsibilities requiring sustained verbal communication, active speech listening, and auditory attention. Psychologists must actively conduct client consultations.
  • For the comparison group: Current employment in occupations that do not require intensive and sustained verbal communication or continuous active speech listening.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of peripheral hearing loss.
  • Active external or middle ear pathology.
  • History of a known neurological disorder that may affect central auditory processing performance.
  • Any condition that may prevent reliable completion of the auditory assessments or experimental listening protocol.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Scienza basilare
  • Assegnazione: Non randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione di gruppo singolo
  • Mascheramento: Doppio

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: High Occupational Listening Demands

This arm will include 30 adults aged 18-40 years with normal peripheral hearing who work in occupations requiring sustained verbal communication, active speech listening, and auditory attention. Participants will include simultaneous interpreters, speech and language therapists, special education teachers, and psychologists conducting regular client consultations. All participants will complete a standardized 60-minute experimental auditory fatigue listening task. Central auditory processing performance will be assessed using the Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), and Duration Pattern Test (DPT) before and after the listening task. Perceived auditory fatigue, listening effort, and task demands will also be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS).

All participants will complete a standardized 60-minute experimental listening task designed to induce acute auditory fatigue. The task will involve sustained listening to Turkish Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-TR) speech materials presented with multi-talker babble noise. The same listening protocol will be administered to participants in both occupational groups under standardized conditions. The intervention will be performed once, following baseline auditory assessments. Immediately after the task, central auditory processing performance will be reassessed using the GIN, FPT, and DPT. Subjective auditory fatigue, listening effort, and perceived task demands will also be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS) before and after the intervention.

Sperimentale: Non-Intensive Occupational Listening Demands

This arm will include 30 adults aged 18-40 years with normal peripheral hearing whose occupations do not require intensive and sustained verbal communication or continuous active speech listening. Participants will be selected to achieve comparable age, sex, and educational characteristics between occupational groups where possible. All participants will complete the same standardized 60-minute experimental auditory fatigue listening task administered to the high occupational listening demands group. Central auditory processing performance will be assessed using the Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), and Duration Pattern Test (DPT) before and after the listening task. Perceived auditory fatigue, listening effort, and task demands will also be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS).

All participants will complete a standardized 60-minute experimental listening task designed to induce acute auditory fatigue. The task will involve sustained listening to Turkish Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-TR) speech materials presented with multi-talker babble noise. The same listening protocol will be administered to participants in both occupational groups under standardized conditions. The intervention will be performed once, following baseline auditory assessments. Immediately after the task, central auditory processing performance will be reassessed using the GIN, FPT, and DPT. Subjective auditory fatigue, listening effort, and perceived task demands will also be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS) before and after the intervention.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Temporal resolution will be assessed using the Gaps-in-Noise (GIN) Test. The outcome will be the change in gap detection threshold, measured in milliseconds (ms), calculated as the post-intervention threshold minus the baseline threshold. Lower thresholds indicate better temporal resolution. Changes will be compared between the two occupational groups.

Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.
Frequency Pattern Test (FPT)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Temporal pattern recognition based on frequency variations will be assessed using the Frequency Pattern Test (FPT). Performance will be expressed as the percentage of correctly identified frequency patterns, ranging from 0% to 100%. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention percentage minus the baseline percentage. Higher percentages indicate better performance. Changes will be compared between occupational groups.

Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.
Duration Pattern Test (DPT)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Temporal pattern recognition based on sound duration will be assessed using the Duration Pattern Test (DPT). Performance will be expressed as the percentage of correctly identified duration patterns, ranging from 0% to 100%. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention percentage minus the baseline percentage. Higher percentages indicate better performance. Changes will be compared between occupational groups.

Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Perceived Auditory Fatigue (VAS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Perceived auditory fatigue will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and immediately after the experimental listening task. Participants will rate their perceived level of auditory fatigue on a continuous scale ranging from 0 mm (no auditory fatigue at all) to 100 mm (extreme auditory fatigue). Higher scores indicate greater perceived auditory fatigue. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention VAS score minus the baseline VAS score, expressed in millimeters (mm). Positive change scores indicate an increase in perceived auditory fatigue following the listening task.

Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.
Perceived Listening Effort (VAS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Perceived listening effort will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and immediately after the experimental listening task. Participants will rate their perceived level of listening effort on a continuous scale ranging from 0 mm (no listening effort at all) to 100 mm (extremely high listening effort). Higher scores indicate greater perceived listening effort. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention VAS score minus the baseline VAS score, expressed in millimeters (mm). Positive change scores indicate an increase in perceived listening effort following the listening task.

Baseline (before the listening task) and immediately after the 60-minute listening task, during the same study visit.

Collaboratori e investigatori

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Sponsor

Collaboratori

Pubblicazioni e link utili

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Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

1 novembre 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

1 ottobre 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

1 novembre 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

6 novembre 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

6 novembre 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

12 novembre 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

12 novembre 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

6 novembre 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 novembre 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • BOS_IAUPhD

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Descrizione del piano IPD

Individual participant data will not be shared with researchers outside the study team. Study data will be coded and securely stored in accordance with the approved research protocol and applicable data protection regulations. Only authorized members of the research team will have access to individual-level data. Study findings may be published in aggregate form without identifying individual participants.

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .