Journal article
HEARS‐NPS: A Randomized‐Controlled Trial of Community‐Delivered Hearing Care for Persons with Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and their Care Partners
Alzheimer's & dementia, v 21, pn/a
Dec 2025
Abstract
Background Hearing loss is highly prevalent and can have significant consequences for older adults aging with cognitive impairment. Optimizing sensory function may be an important yet overlooked approach to reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). Preliminary evidence supports the potential for hearing care interventions to reduce NPS. The Hearing health Equity through Research and Solutions (HEARS) intervention is a theory‐driven hearing care intervention delivered by trained paraprofessionals using over‐the‐counter hearing technology, with demonstrated efficacy among older adults. Previously adapted for older adults with cognitive impairment, the HEARS‐NPS intervention is a refined intervention aims to strengthen communication between care partners and participants with co‐morbid hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Method The refined HEARS‐NPS intervention will be evaluated through an NIA‐funded NIA Stage 1b randomized controlled trial with a 6‐week delayed treatment group in a cohort of 150 community‐dwelling participants with cognitive impairment and hearing loss and their care partners. Result Dyads will be recruited in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Memory & Alzheimer’s Treatment Center, the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and accompanying community outreach. The refined HEARS‐NPS intervention will be delivered virtually by trained interventionists, older adults volunteers, and occur over two structured sessions that consist of 1) fitting and orientation to an OTC device and 2) targeted education and counseling on managing hearing loss in dementia. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6‐weeks, 3‐months, and 6‐months post‐randomization. Conclusion The HEARS‐NPS trial seeks to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an affordable, accessible hearing care intervention as an accompanying non‐pharmacological approach to NPS. The findings from this trial will not only inform best practices in managing NPS but may also be useful in the development of new, cost‐effective non‐pharmacological interventions for individuals with dementia and their care partners.
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Details
- Title
- HEARS‐NPS: A Randomized‐Controlled Trial of Community‐Delivered Hearing Care for Persons with Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and their Care Partners
- Creators
- Carrie L Nieman - Johns Hopkins MedicinePeter Hope - Johns Hopkins UniversityJeannie‐Marie S Leoutsakos - Johns Hopkins UniversitySevil Yasar - Johns Hopkins UniversityFrank R Lin - Johns Hopkins UniversityGeorge Rebok - Johns Hopkins UniversityLaura N. Gitlin - Drexel UniversityKostas G. Lyketsos - Johns Hopkins UniversityEsther S. Oh - Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Publication Details
- Alzheimer's & dementia, v 21, pn/a
- Number of pages
- 2
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Other Identifier
- 991022147304504721