Cochlear Synaptopathy and How It Affects Hearing with Age or Noise
Official title: Cochlear Synaptopathy: Prevalence, Diagnosis and Functional Consequences
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11397411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies hidden damage to the nerves in the ear that can cause trouble hearing in noisy places, even when standard hearing tests look normal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,684,343 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DC015857-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with hearing loss or normal hearing thresholds who struggle to understand speech in noise, particularly after exposure to loud sounds or aging-related changes.
✕Less likely to help
People with purely conductive hearing loss or unrelated ear conditions may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers are using animal and human-focused methods to identify cochlear synaptopathy, a nerve connection problem in the inner ear that can occur with aging or noise exposure. The project develops physiological and behavioral tests to diagnose this type of neural damage and to understand how it affects listening in difficult environments. By translating findings from animals to people, the study aims to reveal why some individuals hear differently despite similar audiograms. The work combines electrophysiology, psychophysics, and behavioral assessments to pinpoint CND and its impact on real-world hearing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better ways to diagnose hidden hearing problems and guide treatments to improve understanding of speech in noise.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies suggest CND exists and may affect hearing; translating to humans is a key goal of this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kujawa, Sharon G — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Kujawa, Sharon G
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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.