Improving Early Intervention in Hearing Impaired Children Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Key facts
- Where
- East Melbourne, Fitzroy, Geelong, Moonee Ponds, and Parkville, AustraliaSee the 5 sites
Where in Australia
- The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalEast Melbourne, AustraliaContact: Jaime LeighNot yet recruiting
- Bionics InstituteFitzroy, AustraliaContact: Prof Colette McKayTaking people
- Barwon HealthGeelong, AustraliaContact: Rachael HyderNot yet recruiting
- Hearing AustraliaMoonee Ponds, AustraliaContact: Lauren BurnsNot yet recruiting
- The Royal Children's HospitalParkville, AustraliaContact: Jane SheehanTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- The Bionics Institute of Australia
- Trial code
- NCT05847426
- Record updated
- 19 August 2025
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether hearing test results using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will help to fast-track early intervention for infants born with a hearing loss. fNIRS is a method of imaging brain activity using light. The main questions are:Read full original descriptionShow less
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether hearing test results using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will help to fast-track early intervention for infants born with a hearing loss. fNIRS is a method of imaging brain activity using light. The main questions are:
1. Can audiologists make more confident decisions about the optimal interventions at different critical points in the hearing care pathway when they are given additional fNIRS information compared to when they have standard audiology test results alone? 2. Is the experience of their infant having an fNIRS test acceptable and comfortable for the parents or care givers?
The above eligibility applies to the participating audiologists who are in the experimental and control arms of the study; Audiologist Inclusion Criteria:; Is a qualified audiologist who meets the criteria for membership of Audiology Australia; Has at least 1 year of experience in paediatric diagnostic, hearing aid or cochlear implant audiology service provision in Australia; Provides a signed and dated informed consent form; Audiologist Exclusion criteria (only for a specific infant test result):; Is the managing audiologist for the infant who's results are being provided; Infants are also recruited into the study to have an fNIRS assessment performed. They do not participate further after the fNIRS test; Infant Inclusion criteria:; Between the ages of 1 and 24 months at the time of fNIRS testing; Has permanent hearing loss in one or both ears as determined by audiological diagnostic testing; Has a legally acceptable representative capable of understanding the informed consent document and providing consent on the participant's behalf; Infant Exclusion Criteria:; There are no exclusion criteria other than not meeting the inclusion criteria.