A new diagnostic test for understanding hearing loss
Official title: Gain-sensitive cochlear microphonics - a diagnostic test of functional and physiological effects of sensory hearing loss
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11055915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new hearing test that looks at tiny signals from your ear to help find out exactly where the damage is when someone has hearing loss, and it's for people who have different levels of hearing difficulties.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $456,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC021794-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing sensory hearing loss, particularly those with unexplained or complex cases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss due to non-sensory causes, such as conductive hearing loss or central auditory processing disorders, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel diagnostic test that measures cochlear microphonics to better understand the functional and physiological effects of sensory hearing loss. By recording the electrical signals generated by outer hair cells in the cochlea, the study aims to pinpoint the specific site of damage within the cochlear amplifier. This approach seeks to improve upon existing diagnostic methods, which often lack precision in identifying the underlying causes of hearing loss. The research will involve patients with varying degrees of hearing impairment to validate the effectiveness of this new diagnostic tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of hearing loss, allowing for tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using cochlear microphonics is promising, it is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this specific context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charaziak, Karolina — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Charaziak, Karolina
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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.