Understanding hidden hearing loss from auditory nerve damage
Behavioral and physiological consequences of auditory nerve loss
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · NIH-11054670
This work explores how damage to the hearing nerve, which doesn't always show up on standard hearing tests, affects how we hear in noisy places.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11054670 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many people experience 'hidden hearing loss' where standard tests show normal hearing, but they struggle to understand speech in noisy environments. This happens when the tiny connections between hair cells and the auditory nerve are damaged, often due to aging or loud sounds. This project uses animal models, specifically budgerigars, to carefully examine how this nerve damage impacts hearing and brain activity. By observing their behavior and recording nerve responses, we hope to uncover the specific ways this damage affects how sounds are processed. The goal is to better understand why some people have difficulty hearing in complex sound environments, even with normal audiograms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to individuals experiencing difficulty understanding speech in noise despite having normal or near-normal hearing test results.
Not a fit: Patients with profound hearing loss or those whose hearing difficulties are clearly explained by standard audiometric tests may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat 'hidden hearing loss,' improving speech understanding in noisy settings for many people.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of cochlear synaptopathy is widely discussed, direct evidence linking it to 'hidden hearing loss' in humans remains controversial, making this animal model approach a novel way to clarify underlying mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER — ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HENRY, KENNETH STUART — UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- Study coordinator: HENRY, KENNETH STUART
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.