• Establishing Reference Values and Clinical Decision-Making Points for Live-action X-ray Swallowing Exams

    Official Title Establishing Reference Values and Clinical Decision Points for Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing

    Purpose

    This study will help create healthy reference values clinicians can use to evaluate adult patients of all ages and is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.  During this study, we will perform an x-ray swallowing exam and breathing tests with persons who do not have a personal history of swallowing problems or any disorders that could contribute to a swallowing problem.  Study participation will consist of a screening meeting (approximately 15 minutes) via phone call, video chat, or email to verify eligibility, and one in-person visit to our laboratory (approximately 1 hour).

    Could this study be right for you?

    • If you are biologically female and of child-bearing age (<63), you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
    • No personal history of surgery or radiation therapy to the head or neck (mouth, jaw, neck, brain, nose, face, thyroid, throat, or voice box) other than having your tonsils, adenoids, or teeth removed.
    • No personal history of cancer involving structures of the head, neck, spine, respiratory, or lymphatic system.
    • No personal history of stroke or other progressive nerve disease.
    • No current diagnosis or personal history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
    • No known allergies to barium.

    Age Range

    54 - 89 years
  • A Study Examining Cochlear Implant Surgery

    Purpose

    This study aims at preserving residual hearing and assessing outcomes in cochlear implant patients.

    Could this study be right for you?

    • Sensorineural hearing loss in both ears acquired after birth
    • Better hearing in the low frequencies in the ear to be implanted
    • Severe to profound hearing loss in the mid-to-high frequencies in the ear to be implanted
    • English-speaking

    Inclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator. 

    Age Range

    18 - 79 years
  • A Study about Short-term and Long-term Impact of COVID-19 on Multiple Sensory Systems

    Official Title Short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory systems

    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to assess the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory systems, including smell, taste, hearing, and balance.

    The study requires about 2.5 hours of your time for your first visit, during which you may undergo smell, taste, hearing, motion, and balance tests. You may be require to participate several follow-up visits, each last 1.5 hours, if you continue to experience symptoms.

     

    Could this study be right for you?

    • Adults diagnosed with COVID 19 within the past 1-8 weeks
    • Adults with previous COVID-19 diagnosis and has persistent (>90 days) complaints of sensory dysfunctions (smell, taste, chemesthesis, hearing, balance, dizziness)
    • Adult with a recent (<8 weeks) upper respiratory infection (cold, flu, etc.)
    • Adult with a previous upper respiratory infection (cold, flu, etc.) and has complaints of sensory dysfunctions (smell, taste, hearing, balance, dizziness)

    Age Range

    18 - 99 years
  • Parent-Infant Eye Tracking Study for Children With and Without Hearing Loss

    Official Title Development of Parent-Child Interactions

    Purpose

    This study will examine how a child’s hearing loss may affect the dynamics of parent-child interactions. The study will observe how normal-hearing and hearing-impaired child learn novel words during videotaped parent-child interactions.

    Individual study visits may last 30-45 minutes, and there may be multiple study visits per year.

    Could this study be right for you?

    • Families with children 9 months to 6 years of age
    • Children who do and do not have hearing loss may be eligible to participate in this study