Understanding why age-related hearing loss and tinnitus happen in diverse groups
Official title: Innovative approaches to elucidate the etiology of age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in diverse populations
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11411379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to find genetic reasons behind age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in African ancestry and Latino populations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $694,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC017712-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 or older, especially individuals of African ancestry or Latino/admixed backgrounds, with or at risk for age-related hearing loss and tinnitus.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ARHL or tinnitus or those not from admixed ancestry may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses whole-genome sequence data from diverse groups to identify rare genetic variants linked to age-related hearing loss and tinnitus. It will develop Tractor-RVA, a new method to analyze admixed populations more accurately and share the software openly. The goal is to improve understanding of who is at risk and why, which could lead to better prevention and treatment in these communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to tailored prevention and treatment strategies for ARHL and tinnitus in diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies identified genetic contributors in European populations; this project extends methods to admixed groups and has potential for new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leal, Suzanne M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Leal, Suzanne M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in diverse communities
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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.