Understanding how children's auditory systems develop

Development of medial efferent mechanisms in children

NIH-funded research University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10952168

This study is looking at how children's ears and brains work together to hear sounds better as they grow, helping us understand how kids adapt to what they hear and how this might affect their listening skills.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas at Austin NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Austin, United States)
Project IDNIH-10952168 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the development of medial efferent mechanisms in children's auditory systems, focusing on how these mechanisms contribute to auditory development and plasticity. By examining the temporal features of efferent effects, the study aims to uncover how children's brains adapt and change over time in response to auditory stimuli. The research employs advanced techniques such as sweep-tone OAE measurements and time-frequency analysis to gather detailed data on these processes. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance our understanding of auditory development and its implications for perceptual deficits.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 0 to 21 years who may be experiencing auditory development issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are adults or those with established auditory deficits unrelated to developmental processes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating auditory perceptual deficits in children.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on medial efferent mechanisms in children is relatively novel, previous research has shown success in understanding auditory development through similar methodologies.

Where this research is happening

Austin, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.