Investigating how manganese fumes and noise exposure affect hearing loss in workers.
Official title: Hearing Loss by the Synergistic Effect of Chronic Inhalation of Exposure of Manganese Fumes with Occupational Noise Exposure
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-10810462 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at workers in jobs like mining and welding to see if breathing in manganese fumes makes their hearing loss from noise even worse, with the goal of finding ways to help protect their hearing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $240,062 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OH012389-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810462 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals working in industries such as mining, welding, or smelting who have been exposed to manganese fumes and occupational noise.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not work in environments with manganese exposure or significant noise levels may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on workers in industries like mining and welding who are exposed to manganese fumes and occupational noise. It aims to understand whether inhaling manganese fumes can worsen hearing loss caused by noise exposure. The study will analyze the toxic effects of manganese on the auditory system and explore potential biomarkers for monitoring exposure. By examining the combined effects of these exposures, the research seeks to provide insights into preventing hearing loss in affected workers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for hearing loss in workers exposed to manganese and noise.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific combination of manganese exposure and noise-induced hearing loss is being explored, previous studies have shown that both manganese toxicity and noise exposure can independently lead to hearing loss.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan Muthaiah, Vijaya Prakash — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Krishnan Muthaiah, Vijaya Prakash
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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.