Noise-related myelin damage in the auditory system
Official title: Noise exposure-induced myelin degeneration in hearing impariment
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11411036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how loud noise may damage the protective myelin around nerves involved in hearing, which could affect Veterans who have trouble understanding speech in noisy places.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK1RD002600-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with noise-induced hearing difficulties or Veterans experiencing speech-in-noise problems who may benefit from future diagnostic tools or therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without noise-induced auditory processing issues or those not connected to auditory nerve pathology may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how noise exposure might cause myelin degeneration in the brain’s hearing pathways and how that affects the ability to process sounds, especially in challenging listening environments. Researchers will use an animal model to examine changes in myelin and neural timing that support clear speech perception. Findings could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat hearing difficulties that many Veterans experience after noise exposure. The goal is to connect cellular changes in the auditory system with real-world hearing challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better diagnostics and interventions for hearing difficulties caused by noise exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed noise can affect myelin in the peripheral auditory nerve, suggesting a plausible link to central hearing processing as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fabrizio-Stover, Emily Marie — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fabrizio-Stover, Emily Marie
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.