2018 GRANT RECIPIENTS These researchers received grant funding from the American Hearing Research Foundation in 2018. Read about their studies. Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Jessy Alexander Complement, hearing loss and lupus Jessy Alexander, PhD Jessy Alexander, PhD pictured with collaborator Richard J. Salvi, PhD Jessy Alexander, PhD State University of New York at Buffalo Grant: $20,000 This research will look at the role of the body’s complement system in lupus-related hearing loss—with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets that can alleviate hearing loss in lupus patients. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Simon I. Angeli, Enrique Perez High-resolution contrast-enhanced microendoscopy in cholesteatoma surgery: safety, efficacy and feasibility Research team, including Simon Angeli & Enrique Perez Simon I. Angeli, MD University of Miami Enrique Perez, MD University of Miami Grant: $9,050 This project tackles a common challenge that ear surgeons face when removing cholesteatomas. In an effort to eliminate the need for multiple surgeries, this research is looking at the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of a new method of high-resolution contrast-enhanced microendoscopy to reduce the risk of leaving any cholesteatoma behind in initial cholesteatoma surgery. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Karl Doerfer, Christina Runge Development of in-house genetic screening for pediatric hearing loss Karl Doerfer, MD Christina Runge, PhD Karl Doerfer, MD Medical College of Wisconsin Christina Runge, PhD Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Grant: $1,000 Genetic factors are responsible for about half the cases of hearing loss in newborns. But research shows that children born with normal hearing also can inherit genes that put them at increased risk for hearing loss as they get older. These researchers will develop a model for in-house genetic screening for pediatric hearing loss to reduce turnaround times so medical centers can make the greatest use of such testing. When healthcare providers understand the genetic mechanisms behind hearing loss, they can provide better counseling on prognosis, treatment options, and avoiding risk factors that may increase hearing loss over time. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Michael M. Ebeid Mechanism of FGF signaling in regulating mouse cochlear progenitor proliferation Michael M. Ebeid, MBBCh, PhD Michael M. Ebeid, MBBCh, PhD and his research team Michael M. Ebeid, MBBCh, PhD University of Nebraska Grant: $20,000 This research uses mouse models to understand the mechanism by which sensory progenitors develop and expand during life development. Progenitors are precursor cells from which sensory hair cells—which are essential for hearing—develop. That knowledge could potentially be used to create new strategies to repair or replace damaged sensory hair cells. Specifically, this project explores the mechanisms by which 2 proteins—FGF9 and FGF20—regulate sensory progenitor development. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Anna Lysakowski Understanding Genetic Heterogeneity in Familial Meniere's Disease Anna Lysakowski, PhD Pictured with Spanish colleagues Carmen Martin-Sierra, Theresa Requena, Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez Anna Lysakowski, PhD University of Illinois at Chicago Grant: $25,000 The goal of this research is to identify crucial genes and cells involved in familial Meniere’s disease in order to generate the first human cellular models of Meniere’s disease—with the hope of impacting the development of therapies for the progressive condition. With this AHRF grant, the researchers will generate preliminary data for a full-size National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 David C. Martinelli Determination of the auditory function of the outer hair cell afferent synapses in the mammalian cochlea David C. Martinelli, PhD David Martinelli with his team David C. Martinelli, PhD University of Connecticut Grant: $20,000 This project seeks to determine the auditory function of outer hair cell afferents, which have proven difficult to study but may play a role in protecting outer hair cells against death. Because outer hair cells are essential for hearing, better understanding the purpose of these afferents could potentially help researchers identify therapeutic means for protecting the outer hair cells in people at risk for hearing loss. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Tobias Overath, Josh Stohl, Leslie M. Collins, Michael Murias Optimizing cochlear implant sound processor configurations via neural response properties to improve speech comprehension Tobias Overath, PhD Josh Stohl, PhD Leslie Collins, PhD Michael Murias, PhD Tobias Overath, PhD Duke University Josh Stohl, PhD MED-EL Corporation, Duke University Leslie M. Collins, PhD Duke University Michael Murias, PhD Duke University Grant: $20,000 These Duke University researchers are focused on making it easier for cochlear implant users to understand speech in a wider variety of listening environments. Specifically, they’re exploring a novel way to optimize cochlear implant sound processor configurations. First, they will record neural responses in the brains of cochlear implant users listening to speech. Then, they will use these neural responses as a guide to re-program the cochlear implant to enhance its performance—potentially improving speech comprehension while eliminating the need for cochlear implant users to schedule lengthy appointments for repeat adjustments. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Isabelle Schrauwen Identification of genes for non-syndromic rare congenital inner ear malformations in children Isabelle Schrauwen, PhD Isabelle Schrauwen with her team Isabelle Schrauwen, PhD Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Grant: $30,000 This project focuses on identifying genes involved in rare ear malformations in children—an area of hearing loss that, to-date, has been largely overlooked by genetic studies. The research will use an integrative next-generation sequencing approach to study rare abnormalities in cochleovestibular anatomy. The ultimate goal is to identify genes involved in rare, nonsyndromic congenital inner ear malformations in children. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Erika Skoe, Jennifer Tufts Biological indices of noise exposure in the clinically-normal ear Erika Skoe, PhD Jennifer Tufts, PhD, CCC-A Erika Skoe, PhD University of Connecticut Jennifer Tufts, PhD, CCC-A University of Connecticut Grant: $30,000 Overexposure to sound can damage the auditory system in ways that aren’t necessarily evident on standard hearing tests. These researchers are looking at biological indicators of noise exposure in the clinically normal ear—with the long-term goal of developing a rapid screening method for detecting the very early stages of noise-induced damage to the auditory system. Such a screening method could potentially prevent further hearing decline through personalized audiological counseling and services. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Spencer B. Smith Investigating the relationship between binaural hearing and speech-in-noise performance in middle-aged listeners Spencer B. Smith, PhD, AuD, Electrode application Spencer B. Smith, PhD, AuD Northwestern University Grant: $20,000 Middle-aged adults who show normal hearing thresholds, or only mild hearing loss, often complain about difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments (speech-in-noise). These complaints often are disproportional to what their hearing tests indicate. This research focuses on people in middle age and looks at the relationship between binaural hearing (the ability to hear equally well with both ears) and the ability to understand speech-in-noise. The long-term goal of this research is to understand how binaural hearing acuity influences real-world speech perception and to develop practical tests of binaural hearing function. Objective, easy-to-administer clinical tests would improve diagnostics and help optimize binaural hearing aid and cochlear implant fittings. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Jessy Alexander Angeli & Perez Doerfer & Runge Michael M. Ebeid Anna Lysakowski David C. Martinelli Overath, Stohl, Collins, Murias Isabelle Schrauwen Skoe & Tufts Spencer B. Smith Making new discoveries possible for more than 60 years AHRF funds novel research to better understand and overcome hearing and balance disorders of the inner ear Useful Links Media Center Meniere’s Disease Tinnitus stay connected American Hearing Research Foundation 275 N. York Street, Suite 201 Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 617-5079 info@american-hearing.org © 2021 American Hearing Research Foundation