The Impact of Hearing on Safe Mobility in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Study Description

This study aims to understand how cognition and hearing can support mobility in middle-age and older adults. This study will involve 12 weeks of at-home cognitive training to assess the effects of changes in cognition on hearing and balance performance. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the cognitive training group or the no training group for the 12-week period (participants assigned to no training will still have the opportunity to complete the training  afterwards).

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Eligibility Criteria

We have three groups which we are currently recruiting:
     1. Middle aged adults with normal hearing (45-60 years of age)
     2. Older adults with normal hearing (65+ years of age)
     3. Older adults with hearing loss who wear hearing aids in both ears for 6+ months (65+ years of age)
 

 ● Must have normal-to-corrected vision.
● Must not engage in any other cognitive training programs for the entire duration of the study and must maintain a consistent physical health lifestyle (i.e., not start a new intensive strength training regime midway through the study).
● Must not have a learning disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, any major psychiatric illnesses (e.g.,            severe anxiety or depression), any previously diagnosed form of cognitive impairment, or any neurological,        cardiovascular, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal conditions that may impede their mobility, concentration, or everyday
functioning.

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Duration and Compensation for the Main Study

(note that the schematic below does not show the no training group coming back after the completion of the main study to have the opportunity to complete the cognitive training):

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Participants in the training group will be compensated $220
 

MAIN STUDY
● $30 for Sensory, Physical and Cognitive Assessments in lab
● $30 for Listening-while-balancing dual-task in lab
● $100 for Cognitive Training or No Training at-home
● $30 for Sensory, Physical and Cognitive Assessments in lab
● $30 for Listening-while-balancing dual-task in lab
 

Participants in the no training group will be compensated $380
 

MAIN STUDY
● $30 for Sensory, Physical and Cognitive Assessments in lab
● $30 for Listening-while-balancing dual-task in lab
● $100 for Cognitive Training or No Training at-home
● $30 for Sensory, Physical and Cognitive Assessments in lab
● $30 for Listening-while-balancing dual-task in lab
 

AFTER MAIN STUDY
● $100 for Cognitive Training at-home
● $30 for Sensory, Physical and Cognitive Assessments in lab
● $30 for Listening-while-balancing dual-task in lab

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Principal Investigator

The principal investigator on this project is Dr. Jennifer Campos. The project lead on this project is Niroshica  Mohanathas. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Niro at niro.mohanathas@mail.utoronto.ca or 416-597-3422 x 7782.

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Start Date

Recruitment ongoing

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Ethics Approval 

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University Health Network (REB# 19-5857).

 

Participate

If you want to participate in this study, you can sign up below. By signing up you agree to be contacted by a research member of our team, but you do not commit to participate in the study. You can decline your participation at any time.