Evaluation Of Antibody Levels And Function In Otitis-prone And Healthy Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,040.00
Summary
Middle ear infections are the most common reason for a child to see a doctor, receive antibiotics and undergo surgery. We have collected blood and saliva samples from children with and without ear infections to compare their antibody responses to bacteria that cause middle ear infections. We will also investigate whether there is a good host response at the site of inflammation, i.e. the middle ear.
Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Pharyngo-oesophageal Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,275.00
Summary
A number of oral and respiratory tract diseases such as laryngitis, asthma, unexplained cough, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnoea, have been linked with gastroesophageal reflux disease. These particular respiratory complications carry significant morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms of regurgitation of gastric acid, via the oesophagus into the pharynx, are unknown. We have recently validated a novel technique to reliably detect acid regurgitation events into the pharynx. We propose to us ....A number of oral and respiratory tract diseases such as laryngitis, asthma, unexplained cough, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnoea, have been linked with gastroesophageal reflux disease. These particular respiratory complications carry significant morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms of regurgitation of gastric acid, via the oesophagus into the pharynx, are unknown. We have recently validated a novel technique to reliably detect acid regurgitation events into the pharynx. We propose to use this technique, combined with pressure recordings from the oesophagus and its valves, to determine the precise mechanisms underlying acid regurgitation into the throat. Such studies should lead to better means of treating these disorders.Read moreRead less
Dynamics Of Haemophilus Haemolyticus And Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae Colonisation In Otitis-prone Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,790.00
Summary
A vaccine has been licenced that reduces ear disease. A harmless bacterium masquerades as the pathogen responsible for ear disease, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), leading to inaccurate surveillance of ear disease. This project will measure the true proportion of NTHi in ears and noses to help policy decisions regarding the introduction of the vaccine to Western Australia. We will be able to assess the impact this vaccine has had in the Northern Territory since implementation in 2009.
Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibu ....Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity. This study will apply a low level, low frequency, modulated, acoustic pressure wave designed to induce a ?natural? olivary efferent response and an end organ endolymph/perilymph balance shift. It is postulated these stimuli will reduce the effects of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity.
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Tonal language development in Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking children with cochlear implants. Cochlear implantation in children is expanding in countries where tonal languages are spoken, despite limited evidence of the effectiveness of implant use in these settings. This project will examine the impact of implant use on children's perception of tone, their production of speech and assesses how this affects functional communication.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100108
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,409,738.00
Summary
How the brain creates a sense of auditory space. How the brain creates a sense of auditory space. Spatial hearing is necessary for locating the source of a sound, and critical for communication in noisy listening conditions. The object of this project is to determine how the mammalian brain, including in human listeners, represents sensitivity to interaural time differences, one of the two binaural cues, and how this representation is transformed from the brainstem to the cortex. Anticipated out ....How the brain creates a sense of auditory space. How the brain creates a sense of auditory space. Spatial hearing is necessary for locating the source of a sound, and critical for communication in noisy listening conditions. The object of this project is to determine how the mammalian brain, including in human listeners, represents sensitivity to interaural time differences, one of the two binaural cues, and how this representation is transformed from the brainstem to the cortex. Anticipated outcomes include a coherent model of binaural hearing that links cellular, systems and perceptual investigations, and an understanding of the human auditory brain that should facilitate novel technologies and interventions to improve hearing function.Read moreRead less