Hearing Loss, Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Conditions
Brief summary
Phonak Hearing Systems pass through different development and study stages. At an early stage, feasibility studies are conducted to investigate new algorithms, features and functions in an isolated manner. If the benefit is proven, their performance is then investigated regarding interdependency between all available algorithms, features and functions running in parallel in a hearing aid (pivotal/pre-validation studies) and, as a result, they get optimized. Afterwards, and prior to product launch, the Phonak Hearing Systems undergo a final quality control in terms of clinical trials. This is a pre-validation study, investigating optimized algorithms, features, functions and wearing comfort. This will be a clinical investigation which will be conducted mono centric at Sonova AG Headquarters based in Stäfa (Switzerland).
Detailed description
In this study a comparison with two CE-labeled Phonak Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) devices is done. The experimental device and the active comparator will be compared regarding Sound Quality perception and speech intelligibility in Quiet and in Noise. The experimental device contains direct connectivity functionality which will be investigated in terms of streamed Audio quality, streaming stability and Usability preferences of functions and Features which are related to direct connectivity. The active comparator device does not contain direct streaming functionality. This will be a clinical investigation which will be conducted mono centric at Sonova AG Headquarters based in Stäfa (Switzerland).
Interventions
DEVICESuccessor of Phonak Audéo B90
Successor of the most recent Receiver in the canal (RIC) Hearing aid form Phonak which will be fitted to the participants individual Hearing loss.
DEVICEPhonak Audéo B90
The Phonak Audéo B90 is the most recent Receiver-in-the-canal Hearing aid from Phonak which will be fitted to the participants individual Hearing loss.
Sponsors
Sonova AG
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adult hearing impaired persons (minimum age: 18 years, mild to moderate Hearing loss) without hearing aid experience * Good written and spoken (Swiss) German language skills * Healthy outer ear * Ability to fill in a questionnaire (p/eCRF) conscientiously * willingness to wear Receiver in the canal hearing aids * Informed Consent as documented by signature * owning a compatible smartphone
Exclusion criteria
* Contraindications to the MD in this study, e.g. known hypersensitivity or allergy to the investigational product * Limited mobility and not in the position to attend weekly appointments in Stäfa (Switzerland) * Limited ability to describe listening impressions/experiences and the use of the hearing aid * Inability to produce a reliable hearing test result * Known psychological problems * Central hearing disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of subjective acceptance of the default Hearing aid setting | 10 weeks | The Primary Outcome measure of this study is the comparison of the default Hearing aid Fitting (first fit) in regard of the subjective acceptance rating between the experimental device and the active comparator (non-inferiority test design). The first fit acceptance will be measured via subjective satisfaction rating of different dimensions concerning sound quality perception and loudness perception (Scale of satisfaction rating ranging from 0% to 100%). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective Sound Quality rating of streamed telephone call (experimental device only) | 10 weeks | The secondary Outcome measure of this study is the Evaluation of the perceived Sound Quality (rated via subjective satisfaction rating) of the streamed telephone signal, which will be streamed between a smartphone and the experimental device. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of Speech intelligibility in noise | 10 weeks | Another Outcome measure of this study is the Evaluation of speech understanding in noise of the experimental device and the active comparator. Speech understanding in noise will be evaluated with an objective and validated test procedure, the Outcome measure will be the Signal-to-noise ration (SNR) in dB. |
| Evaluation of Speech intelligibility in quiet | 10 weeks | Another Outcome measure of this study is the Evaluation of speech understanding in quiet of the experimental device and the active comparator. Speech understanding in quiet will be evaluated with an objective and validated test procedure, the Outcome measure will be the speech intelligibility in % at certain Levels of loudness. |
| Evaluation of the Bluetooth stability (experimental device only) | 10 weeks | Another outcome measure of this study is the investigation of bluetooth stability of the experimental device in terms of connection losses and interruptions. The bluetooth stability will be measured via interview and questionnaires during and after a home trial for the experimental device only. The active comparator device does not have Bluetooth Technology. |
| Evaluation of Usability preferences (experimental device only) | 10 weeks | Another Outcome measure is the qualitative rating of user preferences when using direct connectivity Technology in Terms of streaming an audio signal from an external device with Bluetooth Technology to the experimental device. The user preferences will investigated via rating scales client on a questionnaire during a home trial period |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed