This study is being terminated due to insufficient participant recruitment within the projected timeframe

The objective of this study is to develop and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a community-delivered, affordable, and accessible hearing care intervention tailored to the needs of community-dwelling Korean American (KA) older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their care partners that integrates a low-cost over-the-counter amplification device and hearing rehabilitation through a randomized controlled pilot study. Each dyad will consist of the study participant and their care partner.

The study consists of three phases: 1) Phase 1: development of the intervention through exploratory focus groups and/or semi-structured interviews and prototyping via open-labeled trial 2) Phase 2A: randomized, controlled pilot study with study participants randomized to an immediate treatment group, versus a 6-month delayed treatment group of an intervention specific for individuals with MCI, 3) Phase 2B: a non-randomized pragmatic-focused trial of community-dwelling older KAs with hearing loss but without MCI, and 4) Phase 3: qualitative evaluation of the experience and supplemental feedback through exploratory focus groups and/or semi-structured interviews.

PARTICIPANT INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PHASE 2A: MCI-Pilot Trial

• Age ≥ 60 years
• Self-identified as first-generation Korean American
• Self-reported ability to read and speak Korean
• Hearing loss identified by screening audiometry pure-tone-average (PTA) 1, 2, 4 kilohertz > 25 decibel hearing loss in better hearing ear
• Mild cognitive impairment (CDR=0.5 and/or Korean Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) <23)
• Report not currently using a hearing aid
• Has a care partner able to participate in the study
• Stable medication regimen. Stable (for 2 weeks or longer) dosing of medication (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics) for neuropsychiatric symptoms

PARTICIPANT INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PHASE 2B: KA Older Adult-focused Trial:

• Age ≥ 60 years
• Self-identified as first-generation Korean American
• Self-reported ability to read and speak Korean
• Hearing loss identified by screening audiometry pure-tone-average (PTA) 1, 2, 4 kilohertz >= 35 decibel Hearing Loss in better hearing ear
• Report not currently using a hearing aid
• Has a care partner able to participate in the study

CARE PARTNER INCLUSION CRITERIA (same for both Phase 2A and 2B)

• Age 18 years or older
• Able to read and speak Korean
• Lives in the same household with the participant or has at least daily interactions
• Aural-oral verbal communication as primary communication modality
• Able to accompany participant to all study visits

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (same for both Phase 2A and 2B)

Participant exclusion criteria

• Residence in an assisted living facility (ALF) or nursing home (NH)
• Medical contraindication to use of amplification device (e.g., draining ear)
• Currently using a hearing aid or listening device

Care partner exclusion criteria

• Individuals who do not fulfill inclusion criteria