Alzheimer DiseaseHEARS-NPSNCT06930560
HEARS-NPS: Addressing Hearing Loss as a Common Unmet Contributor of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
A study testing HEARS-NPS device and HEARS-NPS program in people with Alzheimer Disease and Dementia, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial study aims to evaluate a revised hearing care intervention for older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The community-delivered hearing care intervention utilizes tailored strategies to assess impact on communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and care… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 to 100 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Hearing Loss
- What is being tested?
- HEARS-NPS device and HEARS-NPS program
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Oct 2025to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 to 100 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 60 - 100 years old
- English-speaking
- Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease or other related dementia according to the core clinical criteria outlined in the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Alzheimer's Association Guidelines
- Speech frequency pure tone average (0.5- 4 kHz) >25 db in the better-hearing ear; adult onset hearing loss
- Availability of caregiver/study partner who is 18+ to participate in all study-related visits and who provides care supervision
- Stable (for 2 weeks or longer) dosing of medication (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics) for neuropsychiatric symptoms
Who cannot join
- Current self-reported use of hearing aid or amplification device
- Medical contraindication to use hearing aids ( e.g. draining ears)
- Inability to participate in the 1-month follow up
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Jami Trumbo, MSPH contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224
Esther Oh, MD, PhD, 410-550-0925, eoh9@jhmi.edu
Peter Hope, BA, 410-550-9047, phope3@jh.edu
About this study
Official title: HEARS Neuropsychiatric Symptoms & Hearing Loss: Addressing Hearing Loss as a Common Unmet Contributor of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
This randomized controlled trial study aims to evaluate a revised hearing care intervention for older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The community-delivered hearing care intervention utilizes tailored strategies to assess impact on communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and care partner distress.
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Hearing Loss, Cognitive Impairment
- Being tested
- HEARS-NPS device, HEARS-NPS program
- Medical subject headings
- Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Hearing Loss, Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
HEARS-NPS deviceDevice
Tailored fitting and programming of a personal sound amplifier accompanied by an aural rehabilitation component.
HEARS-NPS programBehavioural
Tailored aural rehabilitation for participant and care partner.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate treatment | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: HEARS-NPS device; Behavioral: HEARS-NPS program |
| Delayed treatment | Placebo comparator | Not described Receives: Device: HEARS-NPS device; Behavioral: HEARS-NPS program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Distress as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q)
Scoring: Each of the 12 NPI-Q domains contains a survey question that reflects symptoms of that domain. Initial responses to each domain question are "Yes" or "No". If the response to the question is "No", the informant goes to the next question. If "Yes", the informant then rates both the Severity of the symptoms present within the last month on a 3-point scale and the associated impact of the symptom manifestations using a 5-point scale. The NPI-Q provides symptom Severity and Distress ratings for each symptom reported, and total Severity and Distress scores reflecting the sum of individual domain scores. Total NPI-Q severity score is the sum of individual symptom scores, ranges from 0 to 36. Higher score is worse
SEVERITY of the symptom (how it affects the patient):
- = Mild (noticeable, but not a significant change)
- = Moderate (significant, but not a dramatic change)
- = Severe
Measured: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-S)
Higher scores indicate increased hearing handicap.
Scoring:
0-8 suggests no hearing handicap 10-24 suggests mild-moderate hearing handicap 26-40 suggests significant hearing handicap An increase in the score from baseline (a positive number) indicates a worsening in hearing handicap.
Measured: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Relationship Quality as assessed by the Patient-Caregiver Closeness Scale (CG-CR)
The scale assesses the closeness of the caregiver-care recipient relationship with six items. The total score ranges from 14 to 70. A higher total score reflects a better relationship quality.
Measured: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) Survey
The hearing inventory survey is used to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative interventions such as assistive devices and communication strategies. The total score ranges from 7-35 where higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Apr 2025
- Study start15 Oct 2025
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Alzheimer DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Johns Hopkins UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Esther Oh, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Johns Hopkins University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06930560
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB00357244
- Other IDs
- 5R01AG076525-02
- Acronym
- HEARS-NPS
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- HEARS Neuropsychiatric Symptoms & Hearing Loss: Addressing Hearing Loss as a Common Unmet Contributor of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06930560
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HEARS-NPS / IRB00357244
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Hearing Loss, Cognitive Impairment
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Study start
- 15 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial study aims to evaluate a revised hearing care intervention for older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The community-delivered hearing care intervention utilizes tailored strategies to assess impact on communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and care partner distress.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate treatment | Experimental | Device: HEARS-NPS device, Behavioral: HEARS-NPS program |
| Delayed treatment | Placebo comparator | Device: HEARS-NPS device, Behavioral: HEARS-NPS program |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age 60 - 100 years old
- English-speaking
- Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease or other related dementia according to the core clinical criteria outlined in the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Alzheimer's Association Guidelines
- Speech frequency pure tone average (0.5- 4 kHz) >25 db in the better-hearing ear; adult onset hearing loss
- Availability of caregiver/study partner who is 18+ to participate in all study-related visits and who provides care supervision
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Current self-reported use of hearing aid or amplification device
- Medical contraindication to use hearing aids ( e.g. draining ears)
- Inability to participate in the 1-month follow up
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| HEARS-NPS deviceTailored fitting and programming of a personal sound amplifier accompanied by an aural rehabilitation component. | Device | Delayed treatment, Immediate treatment |
| HEARS-NPS programTailored aural rehabilitation for participant and care partner. | Behavioural | Delayed treatment, Immediate treatment |
Primary outcome
Distress as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q)
Time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Scoring: Each of the 12 NPI-Q domains contains a survey question that reflects symptoms of that domain. Initial responses to each domain question are "Yes" or "No". If the response to the question is "No", the informant goes to the next question. If "Yes", the informant then rates both the Severity of the symptoms present within the last month on a 3-point scale and the associated impact of the symptom manifestations using a 5-point scale. The NPI-Q provides symptom Severity and Distress ratings for each symptom reported, and total Severity and Distress scores reflecting the sum of individual domain scores. Total NPI-Q severity score is the sum of individual symptom scores, ranges from 0 to 36. Higher score is worse SEVERITY of the symptom (how it affects the patient): 1. = Mild (noticeable, but not a significant change) 2. = Moderate (significant, but not a dramatic change) 3. = Severe
3 secondary outcomes
Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-S)
Time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Relationship Quality as assessed by the Patient-Caregiver Closeness Scale (CG-CR)
Time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) Survey
Time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jami Trumbo, MSPH contact
Esther Oh, MD, PhD principal investigator
Johns Hopkins University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing HEARS-NPS device and HEARS-NPS program in people with Alzheimer Disease and Dementia, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Esther Oh, MD, Ph.D. (410-550-0925, eoh9@jhmi.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Distress as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) (time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-intervention (immediate group). Baseline, 6-week, 3-month, and 6-months post-baseline (Delayed Group)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Nov 2026.