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Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Children with hearing loss (8-15 years) needed for a listening and learning study

We are studying the effects of hearing loss on listening and learning in children. This study involves a hearing test, several listening and learning tasks while using our hearing aids, and a short posttest the next day at home.

3 hours over 1 visit
Estimated Time Commitment
Male, Female, 8-15 years
May Be Eligible
Gift card up to $75
May Be Offered
Office visit
May Be Required
 
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Enrollment for this study is expected to close on Thursday, July 31, 2025

What we are studying

We are studing how hearing loss affects children's listening, learning, and memory. We want to know if the right ear has an advantage over the left ear in noisy places. 


Why it is important

This research is important because it will help us determine how to configure hearings aids for children with hearing loss. These devices are complex and come with several features designed to improve speech understanding.  Right now, these features are configured to do the same thing in the right and left ear. This research will tell us if that's the best option for children or if they would benefit more from hearing aids that are configured differently in each ear. 


What we hope to accomplish

With this research, we hope to provide important evidence to clinical and educational audiologists so they can make the best choices for their pediatric patients with hearing loss.

Principal Investigator

Andrea Pittman

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Public Profile

Project Contact

Click I Am Interested "I Am Interested" "I Am Interested" to get started. If you have questions, contact:

We are enrolling children:



  • with permanent hearing loss in one or both ears

  • who use hearing aids or could use hearing aids

  • between 8 and 15 years of age

  • who are fluent speakers of English

  • who are able to work on a computer without assistance

Children with normal hearing in both ears, or cochlear implants, or temporary hearing loss are not eligible. 

Children will first receive a hearing test in the Hearing Research Lab. Once the hearing loss is confirmed, we will program a pair of hearing aids for them to use during the study. They will then complete a series of listening and learning tasks on a computer that are configured to be games. They will also complete a 10-minute online recall task the next day that can be completed at home.  


Project activities may include:

  • Office visit

Estimated Time Commitment

3 hours over 1 visit


Three $25 Amazon gift cards ($75 total)

Hearing Research Lab
1 Constitution Wharf, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA 02219

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Travel

  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed

Travel and Parking Details

The Hearing Research Lab is located at 1 Constitution Wharf in Charlestown, MA. Outdoor parking is available right outside the building where the lab is located. Parking will be validated using the cellphone number that was entered at the parking kiosk upon entrance. 


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Industry
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