Project Grant R15DC023030

Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of North Texas received a $535,758 Project Grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2029. The project focuses on developing an advanced dynamic hypothermia protocol for hearing loss prevention, with a particular emphasis on protecting individuals at occupational or therapeutic risk, including firefighters, military personnel, and chemotherapy patients. The award supports the design and validation of a novel non-invasive cooling device that delivers targeted, uniform mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) to the cochlear region to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, which currently affects approximately 40 million American adults.

The University of North Texas Research and Innovation Division will deliver computational modeling, experimental validation, and device development services. Key deliverables include construction of a multiphysics model simulating cochlear cooling dynamics and vascular heat transfer, fabrication of an advanced cooling device optimized for rapid onset and spatial uniformity, and comparative analysis against existing MTH devices using ex vivo and in vitro methods. The research integrates cadaveric studies and simulation insights to address anatomical variability and prioritize safety by minimizing adverse effects such as overcooling, ultimately producing a transformative approach to hearing preservation that advances the clinical translatability of therapeutic hypothermia technology.