Taking people in United StatesNo phase

3D-Printed Versus Standard Hearing Aid Ear Tips for Hearing Loss

Compares 3D-printed and standard ear tips for hearing aid users.

Key facts

Who runs it: University of Arizona
Where: Tucson, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT07228845
Registry title: Effectiveness Comparison of 3D-Printed and Conventional Ear Tip Comfort in Individuals With Hearing Loss
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 32 people, planned
Started: 15 Mar 2026
Expected to end: 25 Apr 2027
Type of study: Interventional, 3 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested: BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (Third-party, FlexResin, Resin)
BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (FlexResin, Resin, Third-party, FlexResin)
BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (Resin, Third-party, FlexRes)
Record updated: 1 May 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with hearing loss in both ears. It compares 3D-printed ear tips for hearing aids with standard ear tips.

Age: 18 Years to 89 Years
Sex: All sexes can join.
Disease stage: Hearing loss in both ears, the same on both sides, caused by the inner ear or hearing nerve (sensorineural). Hearing levels from normal up to severe loss.
Earlier treatment: People with a history of extensive outer or middle ear surgery cannot join.
Biomarker or test result: A normal ear exam (otoscopy): open ear canals, normal-looking eardrums and an air-filled middle ear on both sides.

Main reasons for not taking part

Extensive past or current outer or middle ear disease (self-reported)
Extensive past outer or middle ear surgery (self-reported)
Past neurological or memory and thinking disorder (self-reported)
Active ear infection
Not speaking English

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 7 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Bilateral, symmetric, sensorineural hearing loss, with thresholds between normal and severe degree of hearing loss
Normal otoscopy: patent ear canals with normal appearing eardrums and aerated middle ear, bilaterally
English speaking

Who cannot take part

Self reported history of extensive or current outer or middle ear pathology
Self reported history of extensive outer or middle ear surgery
Self reported history of neurological or cognitive disorder
Active ear infection

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 18 and 89 years old?

Where in United States

The University of Arizona Hearing ClinicTucson, United StatesContact: Bryan Wong, AuD, PhDTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Access to affordable and timely hearing healthcare remains a major challenge for many individuals, partly due to the high cost and long turnaround time. This study will explore whether 3D-printed ear tips perform as well as or better than standard ear tips in terms of sound quality, comfort, and fit over a prolonged duration in a sample of individuals with bilateral hearing loss. It will also compare how long each method takes to make and how much each costs.

The 3 groups in the trial

In-house Study group_ResinTreatment being tested
participants will initially receive ear tips fabricated using biocompatible resin
Treatment: BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (Resin, Third-party, FlexRes)
Third-party ManufacturedExisting treatment, for comparison
participants will initially receive ear tips fabricated by third party manufacturer using biocompatible resin
Treatment: BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (Third-party, FlexResin, Resin)
In-house Study group_FlexibleResinTreatment being tested
Participants will initially receive ear tips fabricated using biocompatible flexible resin
Treatment: BTE hearing aids with compatible ear tips (FlexResin, Resin, Third-party, FlexResin)