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Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) is grateful to the Les Paul Foundation for their generous ongoing support of tinnitus research as part of our Emerging Research Grants (ERG) program. 

Researchers funded by the Les Paul Foundation have made tremendous strides toward a better understanding of the mechanisms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of tinnitus, or hearing a ringing, buzzing, or other sound without an external source.

Les Paul Foundation-supported HHF grantees have gone on to receive awards from the NIH (National Institutes of Health), including the NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) and the NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).

We are grateful for the Les Paul Foundation’s commitment and trust in our rigorous grant review process. We look forward to continuing our relationship and furthering tinnitus research for years to come. Please click on the navigation to the right to learn more about specific projects by year.

SECOND YEAR

Sharlen Moore, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (see 2023 Grantee)

 

FIRST YEAR

Sharlen Moore PhD

Sharlen Moore, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University

Research topic: Modulation of neuro-glial cortical networks during tinnitus

Long-term goal: To understand the complexity and temporal sequencing of tinnitus effectors with an integrative perspective, considering the interplay of the diverse cell types that might promote the development and maintenance of tinnitus to provide an updated interpretation of this disorder. Additionally, to use glial cells as a key therapeutic target to treat tinnitus.

 

SECOND YEAR

Calvin Wu, Ph.D., University of Michigan (see 2020 Grantee)

Calvin Wu, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Research topic: Development and transmission of the tinnitus neural code

Long-term goal: To understand how tinnitus is encoded by the auditory system. This will reveal novel therapeutic targets (e.g., specific circuits or optimal time for intervention) for treating tinnitus.

Micheal Dent, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, SUNY

Research topic: Noise-induced tinnitus in mice

Long-term goal: To develop prevention and treatment strategies for tinnitus, a serious health condition affecting millions around the world.

Published Research

NIH Funding: $1,695,651

Tenzin Ngodup, Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University

Research topic: Discovery of novel inhibitory cell types in the cochlear nucleus

Long-term goal: To investigate neuronal activity in the VCN in order to eventually help prevent and treat tinnitus.

Published Research

Timothy Balmer, Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University

Research topic: Chronic transmitter exposure in excitatory neurons of the cochlear nucleus generates persistent excitation and could underlie tinnitus

Long-term goal: To investigate whether problems with the chronic transmitter exposure of unipolar brush cells (specialized nerve cells that amplify auditory signals and send them to the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem) may be a cause of tinnitus. Understanding if hyperactivity of the cochlear nucleus is a factor leading to tinnitus will eventually help the development of clinical tinnitus treatments.

Published Research

NIH Funding: $998,100

Julia Campbell, Au.D., Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Research topic: Auditory gating in tinnitus

Long-term goal: To identify a possible biomarker of tinnitus that may be a viable clinical tool for assessment purposes as well as inform future treatment options.

Published Research

Xiping Zhan, Ph.D., Howard University

Research topic: Dopaminergic activity in modulation of noise-induced tinnitus

Long-term goal: To decipher the underpinnings for tinnitus and associated mental disorders with emphasis on the dopaminergic pathways and functions in order to establish a protocol by taking advantage of psychiatric drugs, such as dopaminergic active drugs, to alleviate the symptoms caused by tinnitus and the associated distress.

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