National Acoustic Laboratories is seeking people with normal hearing that experience difficulties hearing speech in noise.

The aim of this study is to evaluate Apple Airpods Pro  as a potential intervention for individuals with normal hearing but hearing difficulties in noisy environments.

This study will involve:

1.  One in-person appointment of three hours at the Australian Hearing Hub;
2. Testing of the devices in real daily acoustically challenging scenarios such as cafeterias or restaurants for a period of four weeks, and
3. Completion of online questionnaires.

We are seeking participants:

1. aged 18-70 years old,
2. with difficulties hearing speech in noise,
3. with normal or near-normal hearing  (you can use this app to measure your hearing)
4. native or proficient English speaker,
5. iPhone users,
6. double COVID-19 vaccinated,
7. able to attend a NAL appointment during the first three weeks of November, and
8. willing to attend acoustically challenging venues for a period of 4 weeks.

The study is planned to finish in December 2021 and participants will receive a $200 gift card at the end of the study.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please email Angela Wong at angela.wong@nal.gov.au.

You will be asked to complete a survey to assess your speech in noise hearing difficulties to determine your candidacy for this study.

This research has been approved by the Hearing Australia Research Ethics Committee (Ref. HAHREC 2021 – 21).