Plasticity in the brain’s hearing network after hearing loss
Official title: Plasticity of auditory cortex microglia and perineuronal nets after hearing loss
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11333779 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the brain’s hearing centers change after loud noise or hearing loss, focusing on specific cells and protective structures to understand conditions like hyperacusis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 6, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $194,400 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DC022004-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333779 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hearing loss or acoustic trauma who may be experiencing abnormal loudness perception or auditory hyperactivity.
✕Less likely to help
People without hearing loss or those not experiencing related auditory symptoms may be less directly impacted by this research.
What this research studies
If you’ve experienced hearing loss or sensitivity to sounds, this project looks at how certain brain cells and their surrounding nets react and adapt after injury. The research explores how microglia and perineuronal nets influence the balance of brain activity in the auditory cortex and whether this affects recovery after noise damage. Using human-relevant models and careful analysis of brain tissue and signaling, the work aims to map how plasticity in these networks relates to symptoms and recovery potential. The findings could inform future therapies to stabilize brain activity and reduce sound intolerance after hearing loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat hyperacusis and improve recovery after hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows microglia and extracellular nets influence neuronal plasticity, with potential for translating into human therapeutics.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kempfle, Judith — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Kempfle, Judith
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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.