Genes behind age-related hearing loss
Official title: Molecular Genetics of Human Age-Related Hearing Loss
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11370481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at a specific genetic change to learn how it leads to hearing loss in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,270 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AG081608-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults experiencing gradual, age-related hearing decline or those with a family history of age-related hearing loss would be most relevant to follow this work or join related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose hearing loss is caused primarily by loud-noise exposure, infections, or other non-age-related causes may not directly benefit from this genetics-focused research.
What this research studies
This project starts with genetic findings from large studies in people and focuses on a variant in the LOXHD1 gene that is linked to age-related hearing loss. The team will create and study mouse models carrying the human-like gene change to see how it affects the ear's sensory hair cells and their ability to detect sound. They will use molecular and cellular tests to map the biological pathway that the variant disrupts and connect it to other genes in the same network. The goal is to translate these lab findings into insights that could guide future prevention or treatments for hearing loss with age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal molecular targets for preventing or slowing age-related hearing loss and guide development of new therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Genetic studies and mouse models have successfully uncovered causes of inherited hearing loss before, but applying these methods to common age-related variants is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grillet, Nicolas — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Grillet, Nicolas
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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.