Project Grant R21DC024042

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders awarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology $421,839 under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173) on August 5, 2026, to develop and test cochlear implant strategies using machine learning.

The award funds the creation of predictive models that simulate how different electrical stimulation strategies would affect auditory behavior in cochlear implant users. Cochlear implants bypass damaged ear structures to directly stimulate the auditory nerve, but current devices fail to fully restore normal hearing, particularly in noisy environments. The research addresses a critical limitation in implant optimization: behavioral outcomes in individual users improve slowly and vary widely across recipients, making large-scale exploration of alternative stimulation strategies impractical. Machine learning models capable of predicting auditory performance under different strategies would enable rapid screening of candidate approaches without requiring prolonged human testing of each variant.

Performance occurs in Massachusetts. The project runs through July 31, 2028. This is a Project Grant, an assistance type supporting research institutions conducting biomedical research and development under the NIDCD program. The award covers direct research costs including salaries, equipment, supplies, and travel, plus indirect costs to the institution.