2019 GRANT RECIPIENTS These researchers received grant funding from the American Hearing Research Foundation in 2019. Read about their studies. Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Charles Askew Development of Adeno-Associated Vectors for Genetic Treatment of Inherited Hearing Loss Charles Askew Askew pictured with mentor Chengwen Li, PhD Charles Askew, PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Grant: $42,735 The goal of this research is to develop gene delivery vectors that robustly target cell populations within the inner ear. Using the adeno-associated virus (AAV) and a gene therapy approach, we seek to improve the effectiveness of hearing rescue in animal models, which could eventually lead to human treatments. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Christopher G. Clinard, Erin G. Piker A more sensitive measure of age-related changes in the vestibular system: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) elicited by amplitude-modulated tones Chrisopher Clinard Erin Piker Clinard and Piker with team Christopher G. Clinard, PhD, CCC-A James Madison University Erin G. Piker, AuD, PhD, CCC-A James Madison University Grant: $28,028 Balance disorders are a major risk factor for injurious falls in older adults. This research will use new ways of testing the vestibular system, which is a major contributor to balance, that will further our understanding of age-related vestibular changes and may improve our ability to detect dysfunction. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Erin R. Cohen Radiation Toxicity and Biology in Merlin-Deficient and Normal Schwann Cells in Vitro Erin Cohen Cohen with team Erin R. Cohen, MD University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Grant: $1,000 To address the clinical problem of hearing loss following radiosurgery of vestibular schwannoma (a benign tumor on the balance and hearing nerves of the inner ear), this study will look for a radiation dosing protocol that will maximize control of schwannoma and minimize radiation injury to adjacent normal Schwann cells. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Larry Hoffman, Ashley A. Kita, Johnny J. Saldate Designing a drug-eluting scaffold for ototherapeutics L. Hoffman A. Kita J. Saldate A. Kita, J. Saldate, and advisor L. Hoffman with team Larry Hoffman, PhD Regents of the University of California (UCLA) Ashley A. Kita, MD Regents of the University of California (UCLA) Johnny J. Saldate, PhD Regents of the University of California (UCLA) Grant: $49,989 Our team is creating a biocompatible implant for targeted delivery of therapeutics to the inner ear, the primary objective for which is the preservation of hearing and balance in individuals undergoing chemotherapy. We hope to diminish devastating side effects that oftimes accompany chemotherapy. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Nathan R. Lindquist Evaluation of cognitive function in hearing loss patients utilizing the BrainCheck™ computerized assessment tool Nathan Lindquist Alex Sweeney, Advisor Nathan R. Lindquist, MD Baylor College of Medicine Grant: $900 Increasingly, hearing loss has been linked to risk of dementia, depression, and other diseases that diminish quality of life. We will explore the feasibility and value of adding a computer-based screening tool that assesses cognitive impairment to the hearing clinic setting. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Elise Lippmann Validating the use of a non-linguistic test across a broad clinical population Elise Lippmann Justin Aronoff, Advisor Elise Lippmann, MD University of Illinois at Chicago Grant: $1,000 Many hearing assessment tests rely on whether or not a patient speaks English or a limited number of other languages commonly spoken in the U.S. This study looks at whether a non-linguistic test can serve as a proxy for traditional speech perception testing, which would improve care for diverse populations. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Alexandra L. Quittner, Ivette Cejas, Laurie Eisenberg Reductions in Societal Costs and Burden for those with Severe to Profound Hearing Loss: Impact of Pediatric Cochlear Implantation Alexandra Quittner Ivette Cejas Laurie Eisenberg Alexandra L. Quittner, PhD Nicklaus Children's Research Institute Ivette Cejas, PhD University of Miami Laurie Eisenberg, PhD University of Southern California Grant: $25,000 If deafness exists before a child acquires speech and language (typically age 3), the lifetime costs to society exceed $1 million per child, according to the Mohr (2000) study. The goal of this multi-disciplinary project is to replicate this study, and extend it by following children with cochlear implants. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Tessa-Jonne F. Ropp Exploring Deficits in the Auditory Cortex Associated with Autism Tessa-Jonne Ropp Tessa-Jonne F. Ropp, PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Grant: $50,000 One of the hallmarks of autism is communication difficulties. This proposal studies the hearing pathways in the brain of a genetic mouse model of autism. We seek to understand how neurons in the hearing pathways and brain circuits are affected; by understanding these mechanisms we gain insight into changes in brain function and possibly focus potential treatments for people with autism. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Marina Augusto Silveira Neuropeptide Y as a Neuromodulator of Noise-Induced Hyperexcitability in the Inferior Colliculus M. Augusto Silveira Silveira with team Marina Augusto Silveira, PhD University of Michigan Grant: $20,000 This research will examine how noise exposure causes changes to occur in a region of the brain called the inferior colliculus (IC) – specifically in a class of IC neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY), a small protein used for communication between neurons. This knowledge may open up new areas of study for therapies that can protect against noise exposure and hearing loss. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Xiaodong Tan Protective Effect of Honokiol in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Xiaodong Tan Xiaodong Tan with Mentor Claus-Peter Richter, MD, PhD Xiaodong Tan, PhD Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Grant: $46,748 Our pilot studies have shown the multifunctional molecule honokiol has a protective effect for noise-induced hearing loss. This research will further investigate the mechanism and potential value of honokiol’s protection for clinical application. Read More Share and Enjoy ! 0 SHARES 0 0 Charles Askew, Chengwen Li Christopher Clinard, Erin Piker Erin R. Cohen Larry Hoffman, Ashley Kita, Johnny Saldate Nathan Lindquist Elise Lippmann Alexandra Quittner, Ivette Cejas, Laurie Eisenberg Tessa-Jonne Ropp Marina Augusto Silveira Xiaodong Tan 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