Understanding how hair cells in the ear amplify sound
Official title: Mechanisms of amplification and nonlinearity in the mouse cochlea
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10983766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny cells in your ear help make sounds louder and clearer, especially when they get damaged, to find better ways to help people with hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $415,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021006-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing hearing loss due to outer hair cell damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss not related to outer hair cell damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which outer hair cells in the cochlea amplify sound vibrations, which is crucial for hearing. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to measure how these cells respond to sound at different frequencies and how they might be affected by damage. The goal is to uncover the ways these cells can enhance hearing, especially in cases where they are injured, which is a common cause of hearing loss. Insights gained could lead to better rehabilitation strategies for individuals with hearing impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for hearing loss caused by damage to the outer hair cells in the cochlea.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cochlear mechanics, but this specific approach to studying outer hair cell motility is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dewey, James Braden — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Dewey, James Braden
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.