Repairing tiny ear nerve connections damaged by noise and aging
Cochlear synaptopathy in noise-induced and age-related hearing loss: mechanisms and treatments
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · NIH-11291851
This research tries to restore the tiny nerve connections in the ear by boosting a protein called NT3 for people with hearing trouble from loud noise or getting older.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11291851 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team studies how connections between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers are lost after noise exposure or with age using mice and guinea pigs. They raise levels of the protein NT3 in the cochlea with local delivery, genetic, or viral methods to see whether synapses can be saved or regrown. Advanced imaging (FIB-SEM) and machine learning are used to map damage and recovery at the ultrastructural level. The project also checks minimally invasive hearing tests used in people and refines approaches that could be translated into treatments to reverse or prevent synaptic loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hearing difficulties related to past loud-noise exposure or age-related hearing problems—especially those who struggle with speech-in-noise or have tinnitus—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose hearing loss is due to complete loss of sensory hair cells, congenital deafness unrelated to synaptopathy, or conditions not involving cochlear synapse loss are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve hearing in noisy environments and lower the risk of tinnitus and sound sensitivity by restoring nerve connections in the inner ear.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal work has already shown that increasing NT3 can rescue or prevent inner hair cell synapse loss in mice and guinea pigs, but human benefit has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIBERMAN, M. CHARLES — MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
- Study coordinator: LIBERMAN, M. CHARLES
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 below.