Objective: The main objective of this project is to unravel the mechanisms explaining the pupil dilation response during listening and hearing-related stress, and relate these factors to daily-life communication and psychosocial health. The…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Hearing disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main study parameters include the pupil dilation response during listening
to speech, the saliva cortisol and alpha-amylase level during speech perception
tests, the long-term cortisol levels in scalp hair and the pupil light reflex.
Secondary outcome
Degree of hearing loss (normal hearing controls), drug use, screening visual
abilities - in order to check inclusion criteria.
Background summary
Rationale: In today*s ageing population, hearing loss is an increasing concern
for public health and societal participation. Speech perception difficulties
result in increased listening effort (cognitive processing load). This is
associated with fatigue and increased sick leave from work. There is an urgent
need for diagnostic procedures that objectively measure hearing-related
cognitive processing load. Recent research demonstrates that the pupil response
is a sensitive index of cognitive processing load during listening. The size of
the pupil increases with increasing cognitive effort. This project focuses on
enabling the application of pupillometry in the field of Audiology. We will
assess which factors influence the pupil response and how the pupil response
translates to daily-life situations. One of the factors that affect the pupil
response is stress. The mechanism underlying the pupil response is tightly
intertwined with the physiological stress system, but this interaction has
never been assessed in speech perception research.
Hypotheses: More hearing difficulties in daily life are associated with higher
cognitive processing load and larger stress responses during listening. In
turn, these difficulties may affect psychosocial health (e.g., depression,
loneliness, long-term stress).
Study objective
Objective: The main objective of this project is to unravel the mechanisms
explaining the pupil dilation response during listening and hearing-related
stress, and relate these factors to daily-life communication and psychosocial
health. The secondary objective of this study is to develop a model of the
*Pupil response and Individual Listening Load* (PupILL model, Figure 1) that
predicts which individuals likely have high cognitive processing load during
listening, and the consequences of high listening load. It will allow the
interpretation of pupillometric data obtained in applied settings, such as in
the evaluation of hearing rehabilitation.
Study design
Experimental study
Study burden and risks
Participating in this study does not involve any health risks with careful
observation of approved safety procedures for audiological testing and
pupillometry. Pupillometry is based on recordings of a camera emitting
infra-red light at a power well below the standard safety guidelines. In total,
four saliva samples and one scalp hair sample will be collected. The scalp hair
sample consists of around 150-300 hairs. Participants have to perform one test
session (site visit to VUmc) of two hours in which they complete two auditory
tests, three cognitive tests and 6 questionnaires.
De Boelelaan 1117
Amsterdam 1081 HV
NL
De Boelelaan 1117
Amsterdam 1081 HV
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Aged between 18 and 80 years of age, native speakers of Dutch, normal or corrected-to-normal eyesight. Participants should have at least 3 cm long hair at the posterior part of the head. Listeners with hearing loss should have average pure tone hearing thresholds (across 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) of at least 35 dB HL in both ears.
Exclusion criteria
Listeners with normal hearing should have age-normal hearing (ISO 7029, 2000). General exclusion criteria: epilepsy, dyslexia or other reading problems, having a history of a neurological, psychiatric, endocrine or cardiovascular diseases or using psychoactive drugs, β blockers, or smoking (> 6 cigarettes per day). The exclusion criteria also include (eye-) diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cataract that may influence the pupil dilation response and pupil light reflex.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL54945.029.15 |