Vestibular implant helps people with severe inner-ear damage balance and thinking
Official title: Vestibular implant tested in patients with peripheral vestibular damage: effects on spatial orientation, navigation, and neuropsychologic function
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11381832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A vestibular implant is being tested to see if it helps people with severe vestibular damage feel more oriented and better navigate, while researchers also compare to patients with different levels of vestibular impairment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,361 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021981-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with severe bilateral vestibular damage who are candidates for vestibular implant therapy and who can participate in long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with milder vestibular impairment or who cannot undergo implant surgery may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether a vestibular implant can improve cognitive function and everyday skills like spatial orientation and navigation in adults with serious vestibular damage. Researchers will monitor long-term brain signals and behavior, comparing implanted patients to non-implanted patients with varying levels of vestibular loss. The study builds on prior work in animals and humans to understand how vestibular input supports cognition, balance, and navigation. Outcomes will expand how vestibular implants might be used clinically and deepen knowledge of vestibular contributions to thinking and movement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vestibular implant could enhance spatial awareness and cognitive function for people with severe vestibular loss.
How similar studies have gone: Prior vestibular implant research has shown improvements in eye movements, balance, and subjective dizziness, with ongoing exploration of cognitive effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Richard F — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Richard F
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.