Understanding how aging affects hearing and sound processing
Official title: Alterations and mechanisms of auditory information processing in the aging auditory pathway
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10910249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects our hearing, especially how our brain processes sounds, to help understand why some people have trouble hearing in noisy places or figuring out where sounds are coming from, with the hope of finding better ways to treat age-related hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $423,738 |
| NIH project number | 7P01AG051443-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910249 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 55 and above who are experiencing hearing difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss due to non-age-related factors, such as noise exposure or genetic conditions, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how age-related changes in the auditory system contribute to hearing loss, particularly focusing on the central auditory pathways in the brain. It aims to identify the structural and molecular changes that occur in auditory synapses and nerve fibers as people age. By examining these alterations, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind difficulties in sound localization and speech understanding in noisy environments. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatments or interventions for age-related hearing loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for diagnosing and treating age-related hearing loss, enhancing communication abilities for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing changes with age, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rubio-Valero, Maria-Eulalia — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Rubio-Valero, Maria-Eulalia
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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.