Effects of long-term noise exposure on hearing in monkeys
Official title: Consequences of chronic noise exposure in nonhuman primates
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10729520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being around loud noises for a long time can affect hearing, using macaque monkeys to help us understand what happens in the ears and brain, so we can learn more about how noise might impact our hearing health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $822,329 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020888-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10729520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced chronic exposure to loud environments and may be at risk for hearing difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pre-existing hearing conditions unrelated to noise exposure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic exposure to noise affects hearing abilities, using nonhuman primates as a model. The study focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind noise-induced hearing difficulties, particularly how repeated noise exposure can lead to cochlear synapse loss and auditory processing issues. By examining these effects in macaques, which have similar noise susceptibility to humans, the research aims to provide insights into the long-term consequences of noise exposure on hearing health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using animal models have shown promising results in understanding the effects of noise on hearing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramachandran, Ramnarayan — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ramachandran, Ramnarayan
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.