Understanding how noise exposure affects hearing pathways
Official title: Signal Processing Along the Auditory Pathway: Changes Following Noise Exposure
Funded at VA Loma Linda Healthcare System · NIH-11012268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how noise and blasts affect hearing in military personnel, aiming to better understand and diagnose hearing loss so that those affected can get better care and support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Loma Linda Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Loma Linda, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003491-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include military personnel who have experienced noise or blast exposure and are suffering from hearing loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss not related to noise or blast exposure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of noise and blast exposure on the auditory system, particularly focusing on sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in military personnel. By utilizing advanced techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT) alongside existing clinical measurements, the study aims to differentiate between sensory and neural damage in the auditory pathway. The goal is to enhance the diagnosis of hearing loss, which is often permanent and currently lacks effective treatments. Patients may benefit from improved diagnostic methods that could lead to better management of their hearing conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of hearing loss, enabling better treatment strategies for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar diagnostic techniques for understanding auditory damage, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
Loma Linda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Wei — VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Dong, Wei
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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.