Nottingham researchers undertake new clinical trial on hearing loss

Jul 6 2010

Researchers at The University of Nottingham are embarking on a clinical trial that will help them to further understand the debilitating condition of hearing loss.

As part of the study they are recruiting volunteers with hearing loss aged between 50 and 70 years old.

Hearing loss affects around one in seven people in the UK. Although hearing aids provide some benefit, individuals with hearing loss still present with problems in understanding what people are saying, particularly in noisy environments.

Typically, age-related hearing loss (the decline of hearing with age) affects people between 50 and 70 years of age. Sometimes hearing loss can be traced back to specific events, such as concerts, but other factors can also contribute to this loss of audibility.

The new research project is being led by Dr Sandra Quinn at the National Institute for Health Research's National Biomedical Research Unit (NBRUH). Based at Ropewalk House in Nottingham city centre, the NBRUH was established by the Department of Health and is a partnership between the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, The University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The project will use a new sound-based approach to assess and improve auditory processing in individuals with hearing loss between the ages of 50 and 70. The approach involves a form of 'brain training' whereby the person with hearing loss uses a simple computer-based exercise to develop their ability to tell the difference between very similar sounds.

Dr Quinn said: "There are a number of links between 'brain-training' and current theories of hearing loss and some published scientific studies which found that training led to improved speech processing. The project will look at those individuals who benefit from this form of training."

Participants will be invited to do the training and a number of assessments at NBRUH.