How noise and hearing loss affect the first step of hearing in the brain
Official title: Activity-dependent regulation of auditory nerve synapses in the cochlear nucleus
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11620270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how noise and conductive hearing loss change the intimate connections between auditory nerves and brain cells, which could influence how we hear in noisy environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $355,850 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DC023596-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11620270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with hearing difficulties from noise exposure or conductive hearing loss who may benefit from future therapies or preventive strategies.
✕Less likely to help
People without hearing challenges related to noise or conductive loss or those not in affected age ranges may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project looks at endbulbs of Held, the tiny synapses that relay sound information from the ear to the brain. It uses animal models to see how short- and long-term changes in activity, like noise exposure or hearing loss, alter synapse structure and function. By identifying the cellular pathways involved, researchers hope to understand why sound processing becomes less precise after damage and how this could be reversed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these changes could lead to new strategies to protect or restore precise hearing after noise exposure or hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that activity and loss can alter synaptic strength and fidelity in the auditory pathway, suggesting similar mechanisms could be targeted in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu-Friedman, Matthew a. — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Xu-Friedman, Matthew a.
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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.