# Project 1: Preservation of Peripheral Function and Structure

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2024 · $478,109

## Abstract

PROJECT 1: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 In cochlear implant (CI) users, mechanisms underlying difficulties in understanding speech in complex
listening environments remain poorly understood, which hinders our capabilities of implementing precision
medicine in this patient population. In this study, we will take a bottom-up approach to identify neurophysiological
mechanisms underlying speech perception deficits in CI users. Our central hypothesis is that preservation of the
structural and functional integrity of the peripheral auditory system will result in improved clinical outcomes,
especially in challenging listening conditions. Surgical trauma of cochlear implantation and the foreign body
reaction to CI electrode array cause inflammatory response, which reduces the structural and functional integrity
of the peripheral auditory system. There are two newly developed strategies for minimizing surgical trauma and
immunological response to CI electrode: steroid-eluting electrode array and robotics-assisted electrode insertion.
To date, the functional benefits of using these two novel strategies in preserving the functional and structural
integrity of the peripheral auditory system in human CI users have not been established. To address this critical
need, Aim 1 and Aim 2 will determine the effect of steroid-eluting electrode arrays and robotic-assisted electrode
insertion on structural and functional integrity of the peripheral auditory system in human CI users, respectively.
Another factor which affects the structural and functional integrity of the peripheral auditory system is genetic
variation. To date, the effect of genetic variation on the ability of the peripheral auditory system to respond to
acoustic and electrical stimulation in human listeners remains poorly understood. To address this critical need,
Aim 3 will determine the effect of genetic variation on the ability of the CN to respond to acoustic and electrical
stimulation. Results of this study have high scientific significance because they will establish 1) the benefits of
using steroid-eluting electrode array and robotics-assisted electrode insertion preserving structural and
functional integrity of the peripheral auditory system, and 2) the effects of genetic variation on the ability of the
peripheral auditory system to respond to acoustic and electrical stimulation in human CI users. Results of this
study also have high clinical significance because they will 1) serve as the scientific foundation for shifting the
current clinical practice for CI patients by including steroid-eluting electrode array or robotics-assisted electrode
insertion as part of standard clinical care, and 2) lay the groundwork for developing effective, evidence-based
clinical practice guidelines for managing CI patients based on genetic data.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10841413
- **Project number:** 5P50DC000242-37
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Marlan R Hansen
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $478,109
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-15 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10841413

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10841413, Project 1: Preservation of Peripheral Function and Structure (5P50DC000242-37). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10841413. Licensed CC0.

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