A device to cool the inner ear during cochlear implant surgery to help preserve hearing.
Official title: Device to Deliver Intra-Operative Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hearing Preservation in Cochlear Implantation
Funded at Restorear Devices, LLC · NIH-11052557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device that cools the inner ear during cochlear implant surgery to help protect your hearing, and it's designed for people getting cochlear implants who want to keep as much of their natural hearing as possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Restorear Devices, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bozeman, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $329,169 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DC019586-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who are scheduled to undergo cochlear implant surgery and have some residual hearing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require cochlear implants or those with complete hearing loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a device that delivers controlled therapeutic hypothermia directly to the inner ear during cochlear implant surgeries. By cooling the inner ear, the device aims to protect sensitive hair cells and neural structures, potentially preserving residual hearing. The safety and effectiveness of this approach will be evaluated through comparisons of hearing outcomes before and after surgery, as well as intra-operative measurements. The goal is to create a non-drug therapy that can be easily integrated into existing surgical procedures without altering the surgical approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved hearing preservation for patients undergoing cochlear implantation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical studies have shown promising results in preserving hearing through localized hypothermia, indicating potential for success in this clinical application.
Where this research is happening
-
Restorear Devices, LLC
Bozeman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Curtis Scott — Restorear Devices, LLC
- Study coordinator: King, Curtis Scott
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.