Auditory nerve and brain pathways in noise-related hearing loss
Official title: Auditory nerve synaptopathy and the central mechanisms underlying noise-induced hearing loss
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11350928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how loud noises damage the auditory nerve and central brain pathways, with the goal of informing better ways to prevent or treat noise-related hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $475,409 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020582-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for noise-induced hearing loss or with early signs of NIHL could potentially benefit from future interventions arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to hazardous noise or without NIHL risk factors may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how noise exposure early in life affects both the auditory nerve and the brain’s sound-processing regions. Researchers will examine synaptic changes at the nerve’s entry point and how those changes relate to alterations in the cochlear nucleus and central auditory processing. By linking peripheral damage to central brain alterations, the study aims to identify potential targets for interventions that could protect or restore hearing. The work combines anatomical and functional analyses to map the progression from initial injury to perceptual changes in hearing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new strategies to prevent or reduce noise-induced hearing loss by targeting both peripheral and central auditory pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown peripheral cochlear damage from noise; this project seeks to connect those changes to central brain alterations, an area with emerging but still developing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Ruili — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Xie, Ruili
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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.