Each October Hearing Health Foundation announces our newly funded Emerging Research Grants scientists. We are thankful to our scientific reviewers and Council of Scientific Trustees for their role determining the awardees.
Our ERG program continues to be the leading seed funding opportunity for hearing and balance researchers. Of note, the Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Awards honor the impact of our former board chair on the field, including her service to HHF with the awards’ focus on supporting the next generation.
Supporting hearing and balance research is crucial, as it receives only a small fraction of federal funding compared with other chronic conditions, and despite the widespread prevalence of hearing conditions. We are deeply grateful for the continued dedication of our generous donors who make these grants possible.
Thank you and congratulations to the 2026 grantees.
FIRST YEAR
Bishara Awwad, Ph.D.
Mass Eye and Ear
Auditory-limbic circuit dynamics as therapeutic targets in hyperacusis.
Generously funded by Hyperacusis Research
Patrick Cody, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
Comprehensive hearing recovery evaluation of novel targeting sequences for cell-type–specific gene therapy for hearing loss.
Recipient of an Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Award, generously funded by Zellis Family Foundation
Jia Guo, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Enhanced cochlear endolymphatic hydrops imaging for Ménière’s disease with intracochlear MRI contrast delivery via microneedle.
Generously funded by Karen I. Coley
Hui Hong, Ph.D.
Creighton University
Peripheral auditory input regulates lateral cochlear efferent system.
Recipient of an Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Award
Jane Mondul, Au.D., Ph.D.
Purdue University
Sound-induced plasticity of the lateral olivocochlear efferent system.
Recipient of an Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Award, generously funded by William Randolph Hearst Foundations
Melissa Papesh, Au.D., Ph.D.
Portland VA Research Foundation
Central auditory processing disorders and insomnia.
Generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance
Patrick Parker, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Emergence of tonotopically organized spontaneous activity in the brain after genetic disruption of MET channel function.
Generously funded by the Les Paul Foundation
Marina Silveira, Ph.D.
University of Texas at San Antonio
Age-related changes in neuromodulatory signaling in the auditory midbrain. Generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance
SECOND YEAR
Timothy Balmer, Ph.D.
Arizona State University
The role of NMDA receptors in vestibular circuit function and balance.
Generously funded by the Salice Family Foundation
Margaret Cychosz, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Leveraging automatic speech recognition algorithms to understand how the home listening environment impacts spoken language development among infants with cochlear implants.
Recipient of an Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Award, generously funded in part by Susan and Steve Kaufman
Manoj Kumar, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
KCNQ2/3 potassium channel activator mitigates noise-trauma–induced hypersensitivity to sounds in mice.
Generously funded by Hyperacusis Research
Ben-Zheng Li, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
Alterations in the sound localization pathway resulting in hearing deficits: an optogenetic approach.
Generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance
Anahita Mehta, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Effects of age on interactions of acoustic features with timing judgments in auditory sequences.
Generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance
Bruna Mussoi, Au.D., Ph.D.
University of Tennessee
Auditory neuroplasticity following experience with cochlear implants.
Generously funded by Mike Miles
For details about the projects renewed for a second year, please click here. The next cycle for grant applications opens in October 2025. For more, see hhf.org/erg. Hearing Health Foundation sincerely thanks our community for their support.
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Congratulations to the 14 scientists awarded Emerging Research Grants for 2026.