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Improving Childhood Hearing Care in Rural Kentucky Schools

This study is looking at better ways to screen for and address childhood hearing loss in rural Kentucky schools. It compares two approaches: the usual school hearing screening and referral process, and a new approach called the STAR model. The STAR model uses enhanced mobile health (mHealth) screening, which includes a test for middle ear problems (tympanometry), and a special telemedicine referral process for children who need follow-up care. The goal is to see if the STAR model helps more children get follow-up care after a hearing screening. Children aged 3 to 11 who are enrolled in school in one of 14 participating Kentucky counties can join this study. The study aims to enroll 18,000 children.

Study design
This interventional study plans to include 18,000 participants. It compares standard school screening and referral with an enhanced mHealth screening and specialty telemedicine referral.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The proportion of children who receive follow-up will be measured up to 60 days from the date of screening.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05513833

School Screening and Telemedicine Specialty Referral to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Kentucky

Recruiting
NAAges 3–11InterventionalHealth services
University of Arkansas
~18,000 participants
Updated 2026-05-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Standard School Screening and ReferralEnhanced mHealth ScreeningSpecialty Telemedicine Referral

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Proportion of children screened
Measured over School screening occurs once per school year, with timing and practices varying by school.
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Explore related trials

Hearing Loss

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Kentucky1

Study leadership

  • Matt Bush, MD, PhD, MBA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Kentucky
  • Susan Emmett, MD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

Who to contact

Susan Emmett, MD, MPH
[email protected]
501-603-1212
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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Enrolled in school in one of the 14 participating counties
Initial entry into elementary school
Eligible regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity

What this trial measures

  • Proportion of children screenedSchool screening occurs once per school year, with timing and practices varying by school.

    This outcome will be measured at the end of each annual screening period for each school, for 5 years, based on the updated timeline.

  • Proportion of children who receive follow-upProportion of children who receive follow-up will be measured by the occurrence of an ear/hearing encounter, up to 60 days from the date of screening.

    This outcome will be measured each school year, for 3 years or 4 years depending on sequence randomization, based on the updated timeline.