Understanding how brain cells in the ear’s brainstem help localize sound in kids
Official title: Cellular diversity in the superior olivary complex underlying timing- and intensity-based sound localization
Funded at Northeast Ohio Medical University · NIH-11345839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using high-tech brain imaging to understand why children with hearing problems may struggle to locate where sounds come from.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeast Ohio Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rootstown, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $512,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020937-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be children with normal or near-normal hearing who have difficulty with auditory processing or central auditory localization, or those with related developmental concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Children without any risk of hearing loss or auditory processing issues are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project examines the superior olivary complex in the brainstem, a key region for turning sound from both ears into precise location cues. By studying the diverse cell types in the lateral superior olive and how their properties shape timing and intensity information, the researchers hope to reveal mechanisms behind accurate sound localization. The work will connect cellular features to how signals reach higher centers like the inferior colliculus, with potential implications for children who have central auditory processing disorders. The study uses advanced techniques to map cell types, their excitability, and their neural connections in order to understand how different information is encoded in the auditory pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new strategies to diagnose and treat pediatric hearing difficulties related to sound localization and attention.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown cellular diversity in the LSO and its role in ILD/ITD coding, supporting a plausible path to translational insights, though this exact approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
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Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winters, Bradley D — Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Study coordinator: Winters, Bradley D
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.