Understanding how aging affects hearing at the cellular level
Official title: Age-dependent plasticity of central auditory synapses
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10910246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects a part of your inner ear that helps you hear, to better understand why some people experience hearing loss as they age, and it could help find new ways to treat it in the future.
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) | $294,475 |
| NIH project number | 7P01AG051443-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals experiencing early signs of hearing loss.
✕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 cochlea, a part of the inner ear, affect the central auditory system, which is responsible for processing sound. By examining specific types of auditory nerve synapses and their connections in the cochlear nucleus, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind age-related hearing loss. The researchers will use advanced techniques like electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry to analyze these changes. This work could lead to a better understanding of how hearing loss develops with age and potentially inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing or treating age-related hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing changes with age, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Ruili — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Xie, Ruili
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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.