Speech-in-Noise, Psychosocial, and Heart Rate Variability Outcomes of Group Singing or Audiobook Club Interventions for Older Adults with Unaddressed Hearing Loss

Speech-in-noise, psychosocial, And heart rate variability outcomes of group singing or audiobook club interventions for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss

RESEARCH TEAM

Chi Yhun Lo, PhD • Arla Good, PhD • Frank A. Russo, PhD • Carmen Dang, MA • Sean Gilmore, PhD | Toronto Metropolitan University
Benjamin Rich Zendel, PhD | Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Deniz Baskent • Dr. Ellie Harding • Dr. Merel Keijzer | University of Groningen
Christian Boyle, MA • Mridula Sharma, PhD | Flinders University
Emily Coffey, PhD • Nathan Gagne | Concordia University
Assal Habibi, PhD | University of Southern California
Gunter Kreutz, PhD • Eva Schurig, PhD | Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Helen Henshaw, PhD | University of Nottingham
Colette M. McKay, PhD | University of Melbourne

BACKGROUND

Unaddressed age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults, typified by negative consequences for speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. There is promising evidence that group singing may enhance speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing for adults with hearing loss. However, there is a lack of robust evidence, primarily due to the literature being based on small sample sizes, single site studies, and a lack of randomized controlled trials. This study addresses these concerns by utilizing an appropriate sample size, multisite, randomized controlled trial approach, with a robust preplanned statistical analysis.

METHODS

We designed an international, multisite, randomized controlled trial to explore the benefits of group singing for adults aged 60 years and older with unaddressed hearing loss. After undergoing an eligibility screening process and completing an information and consent form, we intend to recruit 210 participants that will be randomly assigned to either group singing or an audiobook club (control group) intervention for a training period of 12-weeks. The study has multiple timepoints for testing, that are broadly categorized as macro (i.e., pre- and post-measures across the 12-weeks), or micro timepoints (i.e., pre- and post-measures across a weekly training session). Macro measures include behavioural measures of speech and music perception, and psychosocial questionnaires. Micro measures include psychosocial questionnaires and heart-rate variability.

RESULTS

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knowledge dissemination

Publications:

“Speech-in-noise, psychosocial, and heart rate variability outcomes of group singing or audiobook club interventions for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss: a SingWell Project multisite, randomized controlled trial, registered report protocol.” Under Review at PLOS ONE.