# Patient Oriented Research in Communication and Swallowing Disorders

> **NIH NIH K24** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $144,328

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are susceptible to a dramatic decline in their ability to communicate
as a result of cancer treatment. HNC survivors may develop debilitating hearing loss as a result of treatment
with cisplatin chemotherapy and radiation. Ototoxicity monitoring leads to early detection of hearing loss, but
barriers to compliance with monitoring programs represent a missed opportunity for rehabilitation. HNC
patients may also become unable to speak or swallow as a result of surgery or radiation to the larynx or
pharynx. Older patients may be particularly vulnerable to speech and swallowing declines after cancer
treatment, but chronologic age is a poor predictor of functional outcomes. Clinical predictors of poor swallowing
and speech function are needed to inform patient counseling and shared decision making in older patients.
Aim 1 of this proposal is a randomized, controlled trial comparing standard scheduling of ototoxicity monitoring
visits for HNC patients versus an intervention aimed at increasing participation by scheduling remote
audiograms. Patients living at considerable distance from our center or those with advanced disease will be
targeted for randomization. In Aim 2, we will assess whether frailty screening tools and/or sarcopenia can be
used to predict severe speech and swallowing decline in older adults treated for HNC. This K24 will also allow
me to improve and expand mentoring of trainees and junior faculty in patient-oriented, NIDCD-relevant
research, with a focus on mentoring of medical students interested in otolaryngology. Additional training
opportunities will also allow me to expand my own patient-oriented research and mentoring skillsets, including
qualitative research, health disparities, medical ethics, database analysis and advanced biostatistical analyses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10974618
- **Project number:** 1K24DC022077-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicole Cherie Schmitt
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $144,328
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10974618

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10974618, Patient Oriented Research in Communication and Swallowing Disorders (1K24DC022077-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10974618. Licensed CC0.

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