Creating a device to help people hear better
Official title: Development of an Extracochlear Device to Restore Hearing
Funded at Auricle Health INC · NIH-10823096 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device that helps people with sensorineural hearing loss hear better, especially high-frequency sounds, without hurting the low-frequency hearing they might still have, and it's designed to improve speech understanding and overall quality of life for older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auricle Health INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $275,371 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DC021615-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10823096 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience sensorineural hearing loss and struggle to understand speech.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conductive hearing loss or those who have already undergone irreversible cochlear implant procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an extracochlear device designed to restore high-frequency hearing in individuals suffering from sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The device aims to stimulate the cochlear nerve without damaging the residual low-frequency hearing that many patients still possess. By improving the ability to understand speech, this innovative approach seeks to enhance the quality of life for those affected by hearing loss, particularly older adults. The research will involve testing the device's effectiveness and safety in a clinical setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve speech understanding for patients with hearing loss, enhancing their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While cochlear implants have been widely studied, the approach of using an extracochlear device for nerve stimulation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Auricle Health INC
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Francis — Auricle Health INC
- Study coordinator: Wong, Francis
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.