NEURAL MODULATION OF HEARING LOSSES INDUCED BY LOUD SOUND
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,500.00
Summary
Loud sounds, from occupational and recreational sources, are the most common threat to hearing and can result in temporary hearing losses (as might be experienced after an evening at a noisy pub or concert) or permanent hearing losses (after prolonged or multiple loud sounds, as for example in a noisy work environment). Noise reduction programs are either not always possible or effectively applied. A parallel strategy is the study of biological mechanisms that may ameliorate hearing damage, with ....Loud sounds, from occupational and recreational sources, are the most common threat to hearing and can result in temporary hearing losses (as might be experienced after an evening at a noisy pub or concert) or permanent hearing losses (after prolonged or multiple loud sounds, as for example in a noisy work environment). Noise reduction programs are either not always possible or effectively applied. A parallel strategy is the study of biological mechanisms that may ameliorate hearing damage, with a view to optimising such mechanisms. I propose to build on seminal Australian work to examine how one such system, nerves from the brain to the inner ear (the site of most damage from loud sounds), modulates hearing losses caused by loud sounds. Early studies indicated these nerves could protect from damage induced by short-lasting loud sound and this has led to international interest in functional applications of such protection to reduce hearing damage suffered by humans. However, my recent work indicates the nerves exert complex protective and exacerbative effects to loud sounds similar to common trauma or occurring under conditions similar to common trauma. They even exacerbate hearing losses due to loud sound, especially when there is an imbalance in hearing sensitivity in the two ears (bilateral) similar to what is common in humans. These findings make it critical that functional application be delayed until the full range of effects exerted by the nerves is understood. I propose to elucidate the novel complex effects of these nerves to loud sound. Specific aims are: (1) To understand effects of these pathways to loud sounds like those encountered by humans, (2) To investigate how chronic imbalanced bilateral hearing sensitivity, like that common in humans, alters effects of the nerves and when they change from being protective to exacerbative, (3) To adduce how an atraumatic sound affects hearing losses due to later loud sound and the role played by these nerves.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of sound absorption at the nanoscale. Understanding the interaction of sound with nanoscale structures will guide the creation of novel carbon nanotube materials, optimised for sound absorption, which have potential application anywhere that noise exists and needs to be attenuated. Fuel savings from reduced drag and weight in applications such as jet aircraft engines are also expected.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101528
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Resolving the mechanics of wall-mounted finite airfoil noise production. Noise from air transportation and wind turbines is a rapidly growing component of environmental noise pollution that must be reduced to improve public health and well-being. A submarine must also have a low acoustic signature to ensure its stealthiness. The common source of noise generation among these technologies is the airfoil, yet we do not understand how they create noise in real, complex environments. This project aim ....Resolving the mechanics of wall-mounted finite airfoil noise production. Noise from air transportation and wind turbines is a rapidly growing component of environmental noise pollution that must be reduced to improve public health and well-being. A submarine must also have a low acoustic signature to ensure its stealthiness. The common source of noise generation among these technologies is the airfoil, yet we do not understand how they create noise in real, complex environments. This project aims to understand how fluid flow interacts with a wall-mounted finite airfoil to produce sound. The project aims to identify the noise producing physics via a novel wind tunnel experiment and numerical study. This enhanced understanding will create better airfoil noise prediction and control strategies in the future.Read moreRead less
Resolving the mechanics of turbulent noise production. This project aims to dramatically develop our capacity to quieten modern transport, energy and defence technologies through a better understanding of how fluid turbulence creates sound. The outcome of the project will be a quieter modern environment leading to improved public health, an improved environment and a more secure nation.
Hearing Protection Conferred By P2X2 Receptor Signaling In The Cochlea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,019.00
Summary
Hearing loss from noise damage and ageing is the principal sensory disability in our society. This project will determine the contribution of the P2X2 receptor to protection from noise-induced hearing loss. We have found that P2X2 knockout mice have minimal temporary threshold shift. We will investigate the physiological basis for this and determine why this mouse model has greater hearing loss with intense sound and faster age-related hearing loss compared with wildtype controls.
A Novel Strategy For The Treatment Of Chronic Skeletal Joint Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Skeletal joint injuries often heal poorly with current treatment approaches and lead to the onset of osteoarthritis. This project will produce a synthetic graft with unique properties to mimic the complex structure of joint tissues, and high bioactivity to induce optimal healing of the joint. This graft will constitute a viable alternative for the treatment of skeletal joint defects, resulting in significant healthcare benefits and improved long-term outcomes.
Quantifying the impact of wind farm noise on rural communities. This project is directed at quantifying the level and character of wind farm noise experienced by rural communities, to gain an understanding of the likelihood of the emitted sound causing the medical symptoms experienced by these communities. The outcome will be an accurate prediction model that covers infrasound, the audio range and modulation.
The discoveries made to date and the proposed studies point to an intrinsic role for vitamin D compounds in skin in providing protection from sun damage. As a result of sun exposure, increased concentrations of vitamin D compounds in skin will be generated and this is likely to provide protection against further UV damage, in much the same way as increased pigmentation and increased thickness of the outer layer of skin. Furthermore, the studies are designed to test whether vitamin D compounds wh ....The discoveries made to date and the proposed studies point to an intrinsic role for vitamin D compounds in skin in providing protection from sun damage. As a result of sun exposure, increased concentrations of vitamin D compounds in skin will be generated and this is likely to provide protection against further UV damage, in much the same way as increased pigmentation and increased thickness of the outer layer of skin. Furthermore, the studies are designed to test whether vitamin D compounds which have minimal effects on serum calcium, could nevertheless be used topically in association with a sunscreen or moisturizer to add to sun protection. As Australia has the highest skin cancer rates in the world, this would be of significant health and economic value.Read moreRead less