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Implantable Microphones for Fully Implantable Hearing Prosthetics

Award Number: R01DC016874
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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Implantable Microphones for Fully Implantable Hearing Prosthetics - Project Summary We are developing implantable microphones for assistive hearing devices, which are essential for enabling prosthetic hearing devices such as cochlear implants (CI) and middle-ear implants to become fully implantable. Fully-implanted systems offer significant advantages over conventional devices with external microphones: access to hearing 24/7 (such as when sleeping), which can benefit children's brain development and prevent limitations on activities and lifestyles for all ages; benefit from the external ear's acoustic enhancement to improve hearing in noisy environments; ease of use (less challenges in dexterity); cosmetic appeal. We have successfully developed proof-of-concept prototypes for each microphone design and have demonstrated ease of implantation and high-fidelity responses in fresh human cadaveric ears. In this application we focus on two basic microphone designs, with the goal that at the end of the project they will be ready for large-animal experimentation and/or clinical trials. One is an intracochlear microphone embedded within a cochlear implant that senses inner-ear pressure. The other is a motion-sensing device that attaches to the distal end of the malleus, the umbo, within the middle-ear cavity. The devices are based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric polymer. The fabrication of the devices starts with a PVDF film, which is metalized to form electrical contacts to transmit the piezoelectric signal. They are then encapsulated and electrically shielded. The devices, already operating at a useful level, will be modeled, evaluated and refined to perform at a level comparable to hearing aid microphones, with high sensitivity, low noise and flat response over a wide bandwidth.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	7/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $325,527 )
2023	2023	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	3/7/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$325,527
														Subtotal = $325,527

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $385,859 )
2022	2022	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	4	4/4/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$59,102
2022	2022	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	3/31/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$326,757
														Subtotal = $385,859

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $368,173 )
2021	2021	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	3	3/23/2021	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$40,277
2021	2021	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	3/20/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$327,896
														Subtotal = $368,173

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $391,062 )
2020	2020	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	2/21/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$328,985
2020	2020	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	5/22/2020	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$62,077
														Subtotal = $391,062

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $359,779 )
2019	2019	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY & PHYSICIAN STAFF, INC.	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	3/1/2019	NEW	$359,779
														Subtotal = $359,779

Grand Total All Awards = $1,830,400

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Implantable Microphones for Fully Implantable Hearing Prosthetics

Award Number: R01DC016874

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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