DOD grants KUMC researchers $1.27 million to study tinnitus

May 13, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center have received a $1.27 million grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) to study tinnitus, which is a ringing, buzzing, or whistling in the ear. The DOD is interested in the disease as a common problem for people who are exposed to excessive noise, especially military personnel.

Hinrich Staecker, MD, PhD, professor of otolaryngology, Dianne Durham, PhD, professor of otolaryngology, and Thomas Imig, PhD, professor in molecular and integrative physiology, will focus on whether the regeneration of hair cells in the inner ear can not only restore hearing, but also mitigate tinnitus and restore normal brain function to targeted areas. This is the first study that will examine the efficacy of replacing inner-ear hair cells to treat the disease.

“Our objective is to cure tinnitus, but first we have to find out what causes the ringing noises,” said Durham. “Since the inner-ear hair cells transmit signals to the brain, we think replacing them will put us a step closer to our goal.”

Every year, the DOD releases a list of prevalent diseases that it is interested in researching. The KUMC researchers received one of 20 grants given from 625 grant applications. The three-year grant will allow researchers to conduct their studies in an animal model and then translate those results so they can be applied to humans.

“Cases of tinnitus are growing, but our population is also aging, and the disease affects those going through hearing loss,” said Durham. “While some people may find the disease to be relatively mild, for others, it's very disruptive, so this work is very important for those suffering from this disease.”