Using cooling techniques to protect hearing in veterans getting cochlear implants
Official title: Therapeutic hypothermia to preserve residual hearing in veterans receiving cochlear implantation
Funded at Miami VA Health Care System · NIH-11055313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cooling the inner ear during cochlear implant surgery might help veterans keep some of their natural hearing, which could make it easier for them to understand speech and enjoy life more with their new implants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Miami VA Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003532-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who are scheduled to receive cochlear implants and have some level of residual hearing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any residual hearing or are not candidates for cochlear implantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of therapeutic hypothermia to help preserve residual hearing in veterans undergoing cochlear implantation. By cooling the cochlea during surgery, the aim is to protect sensitive neural structures from damage caused by surgical trauma, which can lead to further hearing loss. The study focuses on veterans who may have some residual hearing, as preserving this can significantly enhance their ability to understand speech and improve their overall experience with cochlear implants. The research will explore how this innovative approach can lead to better hearing outcomes and quality of life for participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved hearing preservation and better speech recognition outcomes for veterans receiving cochlear implants.
How similar studies have gone: While the application of therapeutic hypothermia in this context is novel, similar approaches in other areas of medicine have shown promise in protecting tissues from injury.
Where this research is happening
-
Miami VA Health Care System
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajguru, Suhrud M. — Miami VA Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Rajguru, Suhrud M.
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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.