Cutting-edge research has long been an indispensable aspect of the House mission, from Dr. Howard House’s early pioneering work on the first cochlear implants to the present day. We continue to conduct high-quality research on a multitude of hearing and inner ear conditions, devices, and treatments, with collaborators all over the world.
Some of our currently active studies include, but are not limited to, a study on music perception and emotional speech processing for cochlear implant users, an investigation into drugs that may provide relief for individuals who have Ménière’s disease, and a longitudinal project aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of how hearing loss affects kids’ development, communication abilities, and quality of life. Read below for a brief breakdown of each of our research centers’ active studies and, for more information, visit our website.
HIF Center – Active Studies
Acoustic Neuroma and Neurofibromatosis:
A company called Tympanogen is pioneering a new nonsurgical eardrum repair treatment. Their patented gel patch is applied in minutes and, if successful, would be a fantastic option for individuals with a perforated eardrum. Separately, we have collected tumor tissue from over one hundred neurofibromatosis type 2 patients, which we will analyze and will help give us more information about neurofibromatosis and other inner ear disorders.
Auditory Prostheses:
While cochlear implants have come a long way since the 1960s, pitch perception and music perception remains a central challenge. We are currently conducting a study of single-sided deaf cochlear implant users to better understand how they hear music and emotion (in the form of pitch cues) with their cochlear implanted ear versus their acoustic hearing ear.
Ménière’s Disease:
Because of its often-fluctuating symptoms – which include worsened hearing, tinnitus, pressure in the ear, and vertigo – and similarities with other inner ear disorders, Ménière’s disease can be difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to study. Currently, we are conducting a trial examining the potential use of montelukast – brand-name Singulair, a commonly used asthma and allergy drug – to treat individuals with Ménière’s disease and allergies.
Pediatric Hearing Health:
Typically, hearing loss is seen in aging adults, but hearing loss also affects more than 6,000 newborns each year, and can have long-lasting repercussions if not addressed early and adequately. We are conducting a five-year study that will examine pediatric hearing loss over time and how that hearing loss affects kids’ development and wellbeing as they grow up learning to navigate their condition and the assistive devices, protheses, programs and resources they may have.
The Hearing Science Accelerator (HSA):
HSA is dedicated to advancing research on many diseases and conditions, including Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), Vestibular Schwannoma, Meniere’s Disease, and many more. For the latest updates on the current HSA on SSNHL, and opportunities to get involved, please visit Hearing Science Accelerator (https://hifla.org/research/hearing-science-accelerator/).
New Staff:
Dr. Kelsey Klein is our new research scientist at House Institute Foundation (HIF) in January 2024 to grow our pediatric research center, and dedicated to pediatric audiology.
Jane Cabison is our new Director of Research Administration and came on board in July 2024 with over 15 years or research experience.