Hearing loss and lung health in World Trade Center responders
Official title: Longitudinal Assessment of Hearing Loss in World Trade Center-Exposed Responders
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11387180 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how exposure to loud noise and dust from the World Trade Center disaster may be linked to hearing loss and lung problems in FDNY responders over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,241 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012954-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387180 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are World Trade Center responders with documented exposure who are willing to participate in hearing and lung function tests over time.
✕Less likely to help
People without significant exposure history or those unwilling to participate in longitudinal testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study follows World Trade Center responders to understand how their hearing changes as their lung health is affected by past exposure. It will collect data on hearing abilities and lung function to explore possible connections between respiratory issues and sensorineural hearing loss. Researchers will analyze how factors like inflammatory responses from dust exposure might influence hearing over several years. The goal is to identify patterns that could inform prevention, monitoring, and care for responders who have similar exposure histories.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could improve how we monitor and protect hearing and lung health in responders and others with similar exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown long-lasting hearing changes in exposed responders, suggesting this approach could reveal ongoing risks and inform care.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldfarb, David G — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Goldfarb, David G
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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.