Improving Speech in Noise Using Noninvasive Stimulation
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age25-55
SponsorUniversity of Florida
About this trial
Traumatic brain injury, a common injury in military service personnel, often leads to poor processing of speech in noisy environments. The goal of the current study is to better understand the brain basis for this difficulty and evaluate a new approach to improving speech in noise perception.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
25-55 years old
Proficiency in English
TBI group: history of traumatic brain injury by blast or physical trauma
Normal hearing group: no history of traumatic brain injury
Disqualifiers
Other neurological diseases or related conditions will be excluded (e.g., large vessel stroke, seizures). We will exclude patients with severe medical diseases that may be associated with impaired cognition (e.g., heart failure, dialysis dependent kidney disease, brain cancer). Further, psychiatric diseases that are unlikely to be related to trauma will be excluded (e.g., schizophrenia).
Current illicit or prescription drug abuse (within the last two months)
Any taVNS contraindication, including but not limited to the presence of unremovable metal in the left ear, known heart conditions, medications that influence neurotransmitters thought to be critical for vagus nerve stimulation (norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and serotonin), or implanted medical devices such as a pacemaker.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Cymba Conchae stimulation
- Earlobe stimulation
Treatment groups
55 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
University of Florida
Lead sponsor
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov