Developing a way to detect hidden hearing damage in people
Mouse, Man, and Machine: Combining Model Systems to Develop a Biomarker for Cochlear Deafferentation in Humans
This project aims to create a new way to find hidden hearing problems, like nerve damage, that current hearing tests might miss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129743 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people experience hearing difficulties such as tinnitus or trouble understanding speech, even when their standard hearing test results appear normal. These issues might be caused by "cochlear deafferentation," which is damage to the tiny nerve connections in the inner ear. Currently, there's no way to diagnose this specific type of damage in living individuals. This project uses advanced computer models and non-invasive measurements, like brainstem responses, to identify this hidden damage. The goal is to develop a reliable diagnostic tool that can work even when other types of hearing loss are present.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients experiencing hearing problems like tinnitus, hyperacusis, or difficulty understanding speech, especially if their standard audiogram results do not fully explain their symptoms, might be ideal candidates for future diagnostic testing based on this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose hearing problems are fully explained by standard audiogram results or who do not have symptoms related to cochlear deafferentation may not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new diagnostic test for hidden hearing damage, helping doctors better understand and treat conditions like tinnitus and speech perception difficulties.
How similar studies have performed: While some non-invasive measures show promise in animal models for detecting cochlear nerve damage, translating these findings into a reliable human diagnostic tool, especially with varying degrees of other hearing loss, is a novel and ongoing challenge.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bramhall, Naomi — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Bramhall, Naomi
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 below.