Detect Ménière's disease using earwax chemical patterns

Development of a Machine Learning Prediction Model for the Detection of Ménière's Disease from Cerumen Chemical Profiles

['FUNDING_R21'] · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE · NIH-11306486

This project uses computer learning on earwax chemistry to spot Ménière's disease in people who have repeated vertigo, ringing, or hearing changes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorLOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BATON ROUGE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11306486 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will collect small earwax samples from people with Ménière’s symptoms and from people with similar balance or ear problems. Lab tests will measure the chemical makeup of each earwax sample and computer-learning programs will look for patterns linked to Ménière’s. The team will compare profiles across groups to find chemicals that distinguish Ménière’s from other causes of dizziness and hearing change. If promising markers are found, the approach could be tested further as a quick, noninvasive diagnostic aid.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have recurring episodes of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing), a feeling of fullness in the ear, or fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not produce enough earwax for sampling or whose symptoms stem from conditions that do not affect earwax chemistry may not benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a faster, noninvasive test for Ménière's disease based on earwax chemistry.

How similar studies have performed: Using chemical markers and machine learning has shown promise in other areas of medicine, but applying earwax chemistry specifically to detect Ménière’s is largely new and experimental.

Where this research is happening

BATON ROUGE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.