A Feasibility study for an RCT investigating ACE within the NHS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Feasibility study for a RCT of the Active Communication Education (ACE) program to improve communication in adults with hearing loss
IRAS ID
226852
Contact name
Amanda Hall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 28 days
Research summary
TITLE: A Feasibility study for a RCT of Active Communication Education (ACE) to improve communication in adults with hearing loss.
WHY: People with hearing loss often experience communication difficulties which can affect every aspect of an individual’s life. Current NHS interventions are based on hearing aids solely, however patients report that communication difficulties persist following hearing aid fitting. Therefore there is a need for an additional resource alongside hearing aids for patients who report communication difficulties.
Active Communication Education (ACE) is an evidence-based communication training course which involves a written pack and group-based sessions covering typical communication problems and strategies for improving communication for people with hearing difficulties.
WHAT: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of an RCT investigating the effectiveness of ACE to improve communication for patients with hearing loss in the NHS; this feasibility study will focus on recruitment rate, adherence to ACE, acceptability of ACE and feasibility of collecting the outcome measure. Unlike the previous versions of ACE, participants will be able to choose how many/what sessions to attend.
WHO: 6-8 participants that have been referred to Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for routine direct referral hearing assessments, have communication/hearing difficulties, have not used hearing aids previously and speak/read English will be eligible.
WHERE: The sessions will take place at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor.
HOW: The recruitment period will last 3 weeks; participants will be invited to take part in the ACE intervention which will be delivered over 2 weeks. They will be given the written pack and invited to attend 1-4 group sessions on improving communication. The outcome measurements will be assessed 2 weeks later; therefore the study will last approximately 2 months.
The findings from the study will be used to inform the design of an RCT to investigate the effectiveness of ACE.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1562
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion