Understanding How the Ear Senses Damage
Type II Afferents and Cochlear Damage
This work explores how a specific type of nerve fiber in the ear, called type II afferents, helps us sense sounds and potentially damage to our hearing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115710 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our ears have special nerve fibers that send sound information to the brain, but we don't fully understand what type II afferents do. This project looks at how these fibers respond to different sounds, from normal levels to those that might cause damage. We are also exploring if these fibers act like pain sensors and how they might be affected by inflammation or certain chemicals. By using advanced imaging and recording techniques in laboratory models, we aim to uncover their precise role in hearing and hearing loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this knowledge could benefit individuals experiencing hearing loss or ear pain.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing hearing issues or ear pain would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how hearing damage occurs and potentially new ways to prevent or treat hearing loss and ear pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that type II afferents respond to outer hair cell stimulation and tissue damage, and this work builds upon those findings with novel imaging techniques.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glowatzki, Elisabeth — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Glowatzki, Elisabeth
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 below.