Hidden nerve loss in the inner ear that makes hearing in noisy places harder
Official title: Cochlear synaptopathy, neural pathophysiology and suprathreshold processing in animal models of sensorineural hearing loss
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11158990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses animal models and human-focused hearing tests to link hidden nerve loss inside the ear with trouble understanding speech in noisy environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $578,395 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DC015857-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments—including those with normal or only mildly elevated standard hearing thresholds—are the most likely candidates for related human studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose hearing loss is purely conductive (outer or middle ear problems) or who do not experience difficulty hearing in noise are unlikely to benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers use animal models that recreate different patterns of nerve and hair-cell damage to pinpoint which electrical signals come from nerve loss. They record suprathreshold electrophysiological measures, including the summating potential and a new electrophysiologic metric, and compare those signals to word-identification scores in noisy listening situations. The animal work is explicitly designed to support parallel human studies and help translate biomarkers into tests clinicians can use. Over the project period the team aims to validate reliable tests that reveal 'hidden' cochlear nerve damage even when routine hearing thresholds look normal.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests that detect hidden cochlear nerve damage and guide treatments to improve speech understanding in noisy places.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal experiments and early human correlations suggest suprathreshold electrophysiologic measures can predict synaptic loss and relate to speech-in-noise problems, but clinical validation is still in progress.
Where this research is happening
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Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kujawa, Sharon G — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Kujawa, Sharon G
Related research
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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.