Understanding how hair bundles in the ear convert motion into electrical signals
Official title: Determining how the natural hair bundle stimulations shapes the hair cell receptor current
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11049549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny hair structures in your ears that help you hear and balance, to better understand how they work and how we might improve treatments for hearing loss as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $690,773 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC021690-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related hearing deficits or individuals with similar auditory impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing or those with hearing loss due to non-age-related factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanics of hair bundles in auditory and vestibular sensory cells, which play a crucial role in converting motion into electrical signals. By examining how these hair bundles move and interact with their environment, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that regulate hearing sensitivity and selectivity. The research utilizes advanced imaging technology to observe hair bundles and their connections, providing insights into how these structures function in real-time. This understanding could lead to improved treatments for age-related hearing loss and other auditory impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating age-related hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cochlear mechanics and hair cell function, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ricci, Anthony J — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Ricci, Anthony J
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.