2021 GRANT RECIPIENTS These researchers received grant funding from the American Hearing Research Foundation in 2021. Read about their studies. Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Jennifer Krizman Identifying the auditory mechanisms supporting speech-in-noise and accented-speech recognition in middle-aged listeners with and without sensorineural hearing loss Jennifer Krizman, PhD Jennifer Krizman, PhD Northwestern University Grant: $75,000 This study aims to understand the mechanisms that allow middle-aged listeners (ages 30 to 50), with and without hearing loss, to recognize speech in noise compared to accented speech. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Christopher Mularczyk Temporal and Spectral Manipulation and Vocal Pitch Perception in Cochlear Implant Users Christopher Mularczyk, MD Christopher Mularczyk, MD University of Illinois at Chicago Grant: $1,000 The goal of this study is to determine if spectral cues, in addition to temporal cues, play a role in vocal pitch perception in cochlear implant users. These findings may help to develop new techniques that improve cochlear implant users’ vocal pitch perception. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Suhrud Rajguru Combinatorial therapy for preventing noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy and hearing loss Suhrud Rajguru, PhD Team members Rachele Sangaletti, PhD; Samantha Rincon, doctoral student; Suhrud Rajguru Suhrud Rajguru, PhD University of Miami Grant: $50,000 The proposed studies will test the safety and efficacy of a combined therapy of noninvasive mild therapeutic hypothermia and additive pharmaceutical interventions for protecting hearing and sensory structures in the cochlea following noise overexposure. Successful completion of proposed studies will lead to an innovative treatment paradigm that carries high potential for rapid translation to the clinic. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Justine Renauld Understanding the role of pigmented cells in Meniere’s disease Justine Renauld, PhD Case Western Reserve University Grant: $45,610 This project will characterize the pigmented cells of the stria vascularis and dark cell zone, which are the two epithelia responsible for endolymph production. We will analyze their response to hormones in order to uncover key mediators of endolymphatic hydrops, which is characteristic of Meniere’s disease, and provide future therapeutic targets. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Dwayne Simmons, Mostafa Ahmed, Bob Kane Mitigating Noise-Induced Inflammatory Responses in the Inner Ear Dwayne Simmons, PhD Mostafa Ahmed, MD Bob Kane, PhD Dwayne Simmons, PhD Baylor University Mostafa Ahmed, MD Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center Bob Kane, PhD Baylor University Grant: $50,000 No effective treatments exist for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and yet, as many as 24% of adults under the age of 70 and 17% of teens (ages 12 –19) may have NIHL. We are investigating a new way to treat NIHL that targets inflammatory responses in cochlear sensory cells. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Terrin Tamati Investigating the Impact of Social Networks on Speech Recognition Outcomes and Quality of Life in Adults with Cochlear Implants – A Study Using an Online Testing Protocol Terrin Tamati, PhD Terrin Tamati, PhD The Ohio State University Grant: $42,390 Postlingually deaf adults with cochlear implants demonstrate enormous unexplained differences in speech recognition outcomes and quality of life. This project will examine how the speech experienced in natural auditory environments impacts speech recognition abilities and quality of life in adult cochlear implant users, using an online protocol. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Kathleen T. Yee Effects of mild traumatic brain injury on the mammalian cochlea Kathleen T. Yee, PhD Kathleen T. Yee, PhD University of Mississippi Medical Center Grant: $37,000 The young, often involved in physical contact sports, and females, too often victims of intimate partner violence, are under-represented populations of biomedical research. Hearing loss is recognized to accelerate cognitive decline. We will investigate the consequences of hearing loss following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI, concussion) in these populations. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Jennifer Krizman Christopher Mularczyk Suhrud Rajguru Justine Renauld Simmons, Kane, Ahmed Terrin Tamati Kathleen T. Yee 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