Understanding how chronic substance misuse affects hearing and balance
Official title: Characterizing the Effects of Chronic Substance Misuse on Auditory and Vestibular Function
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso · NIH-10880593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term substance use affects hearing and balance, which are important for communication and daily life, and it’s for people who struggle with substance use disorders to help understand their unique challenges better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $432,160 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021301-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have a history of substance misuse and are experiencing hearing or balance issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of substance misuse or who do not experience any auditory or vestibular symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of chronic substance misuse on hearing loss and balance issues, which are critical for communication and overall quality of life. The study aims to identify the effects of various substances on auditory and vestibular functions using objective measures. It will also explore how factors like health comorbidities, demographics, and socioeconomic status influence these effects in individuals with substance use disorders. By focusing on this often-overlooked area, the research seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies and support for individuals with substance use disorders who experience hearing and balance problems.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have indicated the effects of alcohol and opioids on balance, this research aims to fill a critical gap by rigorously investigating the broader impacts of substance misuse on hearing and vestibular function, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiao, Amanda — Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso
- Study coordinator: Chiao, Amanda
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Pediatric and Young Adult Gastroparesis Registry and Disease Course
This project follows children, teens, and young adults with symptoms of gastroparesis to learn how their symptoms change over time and what factors are tied to different disease patterns.
-
Prucalopride for gastroparesis in adults: a multi-site trial
A multicenter study tests a medicine called prucalopride to help adults with gastroparesis feel better and have fewer stomach symptoms.
-
How the mitochondrial protein PSAP affects nerve cell survival in ALS
This research looks at whether lowering a mitochondrial protein called PSAP can protect motor neurons and help people with ALS.
-
Pediatric Gastroparesis Registry 2: tracking symptoms and gastric emptying in kids and young adults
This registry follows children, teens, and young adults (ages 8–25) with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, early fullness, or abdominal pain to document symptom patterns, gastric emptying, and quality of life over time.
-
Mitochondrial protein PSAP’s role in ALS: protecting motor neurons by controlling cell death and cleaning up damaged parts
This grant studies how a mitochondrial protein called PSAP may protect nerve cells in ALS by balancing cell death and cellular cleanup, with experiments in animal models to see if boosting PSAP helps motor function and survival.
-
How KSHV hides from the immune system via complement and Fc-receptor proteins
Researchers are looking at how the virus that causes Kaposi sarcoma (KSHV) uses complement and Fc-receptor proteins to hide from the immune system, to help people with KSHV-related cancers.
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.