Understanding Hearing and Hearing Loss
Developing and Testing Models of the Auditory System With and Without Hearing Loss
This research is creating new ways to understand how our ears and brain process sounds, especially for people with normal hearing and those with hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10986989 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are building a new framework to explain how the auditory system represents sounds, focusing on the subtle changes in nerve responses rather than just sound energy. This approach helps us understand how the brain processes different sounds, including those that are masked or hard to distinguish. By looking at these 'neural fluctuations,' we hope to better explain why certain sounds are difficult to hear for people with hearing loss. This new understanding could lead to better ways to measure and address hearing challenges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to anyone experiencing hearing loss or those interested in the basic science of how we hear.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not directly benefit from this basic science modeling work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of hearing loss, potentially improving diagnostic tools and future treatments for individuals with hearing impairments.
How similar studies have performed: This research proposes a novel framework for understanding sound processing that aims to overcome limitations of existing models, which have shown some success but also have gaps.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carney, Laurel H. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Carney, Laurel H.
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.