Protecting Hearing During Surgery -an Experimental And Clinical Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,048.00
Summary
Both hearing and balance are vulnerable during ear surgery, and the loss of either carries a heavy personal, social and economic cost. We have developed new ways of protecting the ear during surgery, though either the local delivery of medication to the inner ear or by injection. The clinical protocol will be developed in the laboratory and tested in a clinical trial. This research will stand to benefit all people undergoing major operation on their ear, and especially cochlear implant candidate ....Both hearing and balance are vulnerable during ear surgery, and the loss of either carries a heavy personal, social and economic cost. We have developed new ways of protecting the ear during surgery, though either the local delivery of medication to the inner ear or by injection. The clinical protocol will be developed in the laboratory and tested in a clinical trial. This research will stand to benefit all people undergoing major operation on their ear, and especially cochlear implant candidates with residual hearing.Read moreRead less
Cell-based Neurotrophin Delivery With Cochlear Implantation For Long-term Rescue Of Auditory Neurones Following Deafness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,212.00
Summary
This project aims to develop safe and effective techniques for long-term delivery of drugs to the ear by genetically modifying cells so they release the theraputic agents over extended periods of time, and then to use encapsulation techniques to safely deliver these cells to the inner ear in combination with a cochlear implant.
Delayed Loss Of Acoustic Hearing After Cochlear Implantation: Mechanisms And Clinical Identification With New Cochlear Implant Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,040,157.00
Summary
Natural hearing can be combined with a cochlear implant to improve sound quality and speech understanding. However, natural hearing frequently deteriorates weeks to months after cochlear implantation. This seems to occur when cochlear fluid buildup (hydrops) or fibrosis within the inner ear disrupts cochlear mechanics. We plan to monitor these processes in patients by recording directly from the cochlear implant, and conduct laboratory experiments to find therapies to alleviate their effects.
Surgical Approaches To Improving Ear Health And Hearing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,882.00
Summary
My vision is to advance ear and hearing health all Australians across three areas. The first is to ensure that patients receiving hearing-restoration operations with cochlear prostheses today have ears that will be ready to receive tomorrows molecular therapies. The second is a clinical trial to establish how best to treat Indigenous children burdened with otitis media and hearing loss. The third seeks to improve the quality of training in ear surgery through simulation.