How hearing loss affects the brain's ability to locate sounds
Official title: Effect of Sensorineural Hearing Loss on the Neural Coding of Spatial Hearing
Funded at Ohio University Athens · NIH-10974304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hearing loss affects the ability to tell where sounds are coming from, using rabbits to help us understand this better, so we can learn more about why people with hearing loss might struggle with sound location.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio University Athens NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $453,000 |
| NIH project number | 2R15DC017616-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who experience sensorineural hearing loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing or those with hearing loss due to non-sensorineural causes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of sensorineural hearing loss on the ability to localize sounds, using rabbits as a model due to their similar hearing range to humans. The study will induce hearing loss in rabbits through noise exposure and assess their sound localization abilities before and after this exposure. Researchers will also analyze neuronal responses in the brain to understand how hearing loss affects the transmission of sound location information. The findings aim to uncover the physiological reasons behind sound localization deficits in individuals with hearing loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals with hearing loss, enhancing their ability to locate sounds.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the neural mechanisms of hearing loss can lead to significant advancements in auditory rehabilitation, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio University Athens
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Day, Mitchell Lee — Ohio University Athens
- Study coordinator: Day, Mitchell Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.