NCT06102486 · RECRUITING
MCI Speech in Noise
This study is testing whether people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) process sound differently than people with normal cognition. Researchers are measuring how the brain hears and interprets sounds, and whether those hearing-processing scores track with memory and thinking scores. There is no drug or treatment involved — it is purely a measurement and observation study. The phase is unspecified, meaning this is likely exploratory research rather than a clinical drug trial.
You may qualify if
- 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
You're excluded if
- 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)
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2026-01-13