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Observational Study of Speech in Noise for Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study is looking at how people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and healthy individuals hear and process sounds, especially in noisy environments. Researchers want to see if there are differences in how well these groups perform on hearing tests and how their brains respond to sound. They are also investigating if these hearing test results are linked to thinking and memory skills in people with MCI. The study aims to enroll 70 participants, aged 55 to 80, who either have MCI or are cognitively normal. The study is observational, meaning there are no interventions or treatments being tested.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 70 participants. It compares individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment to cognitively normal individuals.
What's involved
You would participate in a Hearing-in-Noise Test (15 minutes), a Triple Digit in Noise Test (15 minutes), and a measurement of auditory neural response in background noise (45 minutes).
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

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

NCT06102486

MCI Speech in Noise

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 55–80Observational
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
~70 participants
Updated 2026-08-25 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Hearing-in-Noise Test Performance
Measured over 1 time point (takes 15 minutes)
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Explore related trials

Mild cognitive disorder

NCT06102486

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Space Medicine Lab at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

    Lebanon, New Hampshirestudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Samantha Leigh, BS
[email protected]
5408195715
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults diagnosed with or suspected to have MCI (for MCI group) or are cognitively normal (for Control group)
Absence of other risk factors that might affect CAP (Central Auditory Processing) performance (e.g., active ear infections, congenital developmental delay, severe hearing loss)
Age 55-80
Normal hearing sensitivity (\<40 dB HL Pure Tone Average (average of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz) thresholds bilaterally
Normal middle ear function defined by tympanometry (0.3-2.0 ml)
Native English speaker

Exclusion

Active ear infections or abnormal middle ear pathology
Other health condition prohibiting the completion of the CAP test battery
Mild to profound peripheral hearing loss (\>40 dB (decibel) HL (hearing loss) Pure Tone Average (average of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz) bilaterally
Adults unable to consent
Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
Prisoners
History of CNS (Central Nervous System) disorder that might severely impact cognitive function (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neurosyphilis, intracranial tumors, history of significant head trauma with loss of consciousness (≥30 min), and cerebrovascular disease)
Severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
Current, uncontrolled medical condition that could affect cognition (e.g., hypertension)
History of substance use disorder within the (other than nicotine/caffeine)
Non-correctable severe hearing or vision loss
Use of "Cognition Enhancing Drugs"
Frequent, severe headaches (occasional headaches or migraines are fine)

What this trial measures

  • Hearing-in-Noise Test Performance1 time point (takes 15 minutes)

    The performance for Hearing in Noise Tests (HINT) between energetic masking and 2-talker informational masking (IM). Performance will be measured by the lowest signal-to-noise ratio (volume at which sentences are presented compared to background noise volume) that can be heard by the participant.

  • Triple Digit in Noise Test Performance1 time point (takes 15 minutes)

    Performance for the behavioral Triple Digit (TDT) between energetic masking and 2-talker informational masking (IM). Performance will be measured by the lowest signal-to-noise ratio (volume at which digits are presented compared to background noise volume) that can be heard by the participant.

  • Size of auditory neural response in background noise1 time point (takes 45 minutes)

    The change in amplitude of neural response between energetic masking and 2-talker informational masking (IM).

  • Timing of auditory neural response in background noise1 time point (takes 45 minutes)

    The change in latency of neural response between energetic masking and 2-talker informational masking (IM).