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Measurements and Mechanisms of High Frequency Bone Conduction in Humans.

Award Number: R01DC023531
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: 05/05/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2031

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Measurements and Mechanisms of High Frequency Bone Conduction in Humans. - PROJECT SUMMARY High frequency hearing loss is a common human affliction, affecting tens of millions of individuals in the United States alone. The combination of air and bone conduction thresholds allow differentiation of conductive (external and middle ear) from sensorineural (inner ear) sources of hearing loss, but at high frequencies (>4- 16kHz) threshold testing is incomplete, as bone conduction tests are unavailable. Clinicians are currently unable to differentiate middle from inner ear sources of high frequency hearing loss, limiting targeted treatment strategies. We use a non-standard bone conduction transducer with superior high frequency output and have described a calibration scheme that reliably computes force output up to 20kHz. Bone conduction thresholds can now be reliably measured from 4-16kHz in subjects with normal hearing and in pilot tests of patients with hearing loss. We find subjects with increased skin and soft tissue thickness at the stimulation site harbor impaired bone thresholds (when compared to their air conduction sensitivity), suggestive of a thickness and frequency dependent attenuating effect of the skin. Our project has two primary aims: In AIM1, we investigate high frequency (4-16kHz) air and bone thresholds in healthy and diseased ears. First, we characterize age- based differences in air and bone conduction thresholds and hypothesize that in some subjects, air but not bone thresholds will increase as a function of age. Second, we assess high frequency hearing in children with otitis media with effusion or ototoxic (cisplatin) exposure and hypothesize that high frequency bone thresholds will differentiate known conductive from sensorineural pathology. Third, in children undergoing middle ear surgery, we investigate pre- and post-operative air and bone thresholds after placement of pressure equalization tubes and hypothesize that high frequency bone thresholds will identify and differentiate post- operative treatable conductive from avoidable sensorineural losses. In AIM2 we characterize anatomic factors affecting high frequency bone conduction transmission from the skin to the cochlea using mechanical measurements in cadaveric heads and human subjects. We hypothesize that clinically observed and quantified differences in skin and soft tissue thickness result in predictable variations in both mechanically measured force transmission and behaviorally measured bone thresholds. We will determine whether such differences impart clinically relevant skin to skull attenuation from 4-16kHz. These investigations move high frequency bone conduction tests towards clinical use with wide implications including: 1) an improved understanding of the middle ear contribution to age-related hearing loss and otitis media, 2) superior methods for ototoxic drug monitoring, where BC thresholds are insensitive to the effects of middle ear health and 3) refined operative approaches in middle ear surgery. We expect future clinical trials to investigate the impact of patient, medical and surgical variables on all types of high frequency hearing, with a goal of improving hearing outcomes.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $655,214 )
2026	2026	MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY	243 CHARLES ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	5/11/2026	NEW	$655,214
														Subtotal = $655,214

Grand Total All Awards = $655,214

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Measurements and Mechanisms of High Frequency Bone Conduction in Humans.

Award Number: R01DC023531

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: 05/05/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2031

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