Wearable Echolocation Aids Using Parametric Sound

Part of paid clinical trials in Galveston, Texas.

Sponsor
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Study ID
NCT07218991
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Low Vision

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 100 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Wearable Echolocation Device — DEVICE
    The device features many parametric speakers housed in a plastic case. The parametric speakers emit directional sound waves that return to the source with varying wavelengths depending on the distance of the surrounding objects. The device is designed to be worn by the subject either using a lanyard on the subject's neck, or on the subject's wrist.

Study Details

The objective of this study is to study a novel device designed to aid patients with impaired vision to safely navigate their environment. Subjects for this study will be individuals with normal vision, either with or without correction. The subjects will wear a device to simulate impaired vision and will be asked to walk a path with randomly placed obstacles during two trials. One of the trials will consist of the subject wearing the simulator alone. The other trial will consist of the subject wearing the simulator and the study device. The study device is designed to be worn by the study subject and will emit tones to indicate obstacles in the environment as the subject walks on the path with random obstacles. The tones will indicate that there is an obstacle in the individual's path and will increase in intensity as the subject moves closer to the object.Invest

Key Dates

Start date
Feb 21, 2025
Status verified
Oct 2025
Primary completion
Jun 14, 2027
Completion
Jan 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
50 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • No Intervention: Group 1 - Wearing a Low-Vision Simulator without the Wearable Echolocation Device
    The participant will be wearing a low-vision simulator and navigating a pathway randomly populated with obstacles. They will then perform the same trial, wearing the low vision simulator, navigating the same pathway with obstacles randomly rearranged; however, the participants will use the Wearable Echolocation Device to assist with navigation.
  • Active Comparator: Group 2- Wearing a Low-Vision Simulator with the Wearable Echolocation Device
    The participants will be wearing the low-vision simulator and the wearable echolocation Device for the first test to assist with navigating the pathway randomly populated with obstacles. The participant will then perform the same test, wearing the low-vision simulator without the Wearable Echolocation Device, navigating the same pathway with randomly rearranged obstacles.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Stride Length for Visually Impaired Individuals with Implementation of Echolocation Technology [ Time Frame: Baseline (pre-training) and immediately post-training (same 30 minute session) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas77555
Praveena Gupta, PhD OD FAAO
[email protected]
409-747-5823
Stacy M Schreiber Lopez, AA BS MA
[email protected]
2814602704
Aisen Chacin, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Mansoo Ko, PT PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Pranati Ahuja, BS MS MD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
James Chen, BA (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Sophia Choi, BS (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Thomas Radle, BA, BS (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

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By research site
University of Texas Medical Branch· Galveston, TX

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