Understanding how noise exposure affects hearing pathways
Official title: Signal Processing Along the Auditory Pathway: Changes Following Noise Exposure
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11277039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how noise and blasts affect hearing in military personnel, aiming to understand the different types of damage that can happen to the ears so that we can improve how we diagnose and treat hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Long Beach, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 7I01RX003491-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11277039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are military personnel or individuals 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 measures, the study aims to differentiate between sensory and neural damage in the auditory pathway. This approach will help in better diagnosing hearing loss and understanding the underlying mechanisms of auditory damage. The goal is to improve clinical assessments and potentially lead to better management strategies for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods for hearing loss, allowing for more tailored treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using OCT in humans is novel, similar methodologies have shown promise in animal studies, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Long Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Wei — Veterans Health Administration
- 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.