Understanding the long-term effects of ear fluid on children's hearing and development
Official title: Hearing Loss, Prognosis, and Long-Term Impact of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-10898262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how fluid in the ears, which is common in kids, can affect their hearing and development over time, helping us understand which children might need extra support with their speech and language skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $722,677 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC021320-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with otitis media with effusion.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have otitis media with effusion or those with other unrelated hearing conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how otitis media with effusion (OME), a common condition in children, affects hearing and long-term development. It aims to determine the relationship between the degree of hearing loss caused by OME and potential long-term deficits in speech, language, and auditory processing. By assessing the hearing status of children with OME, the study seeks to identify which children are at greater risk for these long-term effects. The approach includes evaluating the variability in hearing loss and its impact on developmental outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment strategies for children with OME, potentially improving their long-term speech and language development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown variable outcomes regarding the long-term effects of OME, indicating that this area is still under investigation and may yield novel insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merchant, Gabrielle Ryan — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Merchant, Gabrielle Ryan
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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.