Earplugs against heart disease? new study tests noise-blocking fix

NCT ID NCT07148817

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether wearing noise-canceling earplugs can lower stress and reduce heart disease risk in people annoyed by traffic noise. Researchers will use brain and blood vessel scans to measure changes over 6 months in 26 adults with heart risk factors. The goal is to see if blocking noise at night can calm the body's stress response and improve heart health.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Noise canceling earplugs
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to reduce heart disease risk in people exposed to traffic noise.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 26 people. It tests a behavioral change, not a drug, so the effects may be small or hard to measure. Results may not apply to everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atherosclerosis diabetes mellitus hyperlipidemia hypertensive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASES NOISE EXPOSURE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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