Project Grant R44DC016780

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), through its Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), awarded a $306,311 project grant to AO Technologies, LLC on July 10, 2025 to develop a high-performance, reduced-cost optical coherence tomography (OCT) otoscope. This device aims to provide improved three-dimensional imaging and diagnostic capabilities for examining the tympanic membrane and middle ear, which has seen little...

This Project Grant award of $306,872, provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), supports the development of a safe, low-power digital laser otoscope by Mstatt LLC (doing business as North Coast Photonics) to improve the identification and diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME) in young children. OME is a common cause of childhood hearing loss, with an...

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) awarded the University of Southern California (USC) a $456,500 Project Grant (CFDA 93.173) to develop a novel diagnostic test for sensory hearing loss. The "Gain-Sensitive Cochlear Microphonics" (GCM) test aims to assess the functional state and site of damage within the cochlear amplifier, which is crucial for hearing sensitivity and range. The proposed research will validate the GCM test in mice by comparing...

This Project Grant award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), under the federal Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), is providing $306,872 to Iotamotion, Inc. to develop a novel electromagnetic tracking technology for cochlear implant surgery. The project aims to create a working prototype of an electromagnetic tracking system (EMOTO) that can be integrated into Iotamotion's robotic-assist cochlear implant...

This $400,000 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) will support the development of a novel soft auditory brainstem implant (ABI) technology by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The goal is to create a more conformable and miniaturized ABI electrode array to improve the neuromodulation performance and enable minimally invasive surgical insertion for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The project will involve testing the...

This Project Grant award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), under the federal Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), is funding the development of a novel, low-cost imaging device based on optical coherence tomography (OCT). The device enables real-time, 3D visualization of the tympanic membrane and middle ear, allowing for early detection of various ear disorders that often go undiagnosed until...

This Project Grant award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (CFDA 93.173 - Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders) provides $306,073 to Iotamotion, Inc. to develop a navigation-based cochlear implant insertion system that optimizes trajectory and enables slow, consistent electrode array insertions. The goal is to improve short and long-term hearing outcomes for cochlear implant patients by enhancing structural preservation of the...

Pionear Technologies Inc. received a $699,002 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders within the Department of Health and Human Services. The award is part of the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders federal grant program (CFDA 93.173) to develop novel liquid-infused tympanostomy tubes with optimized lumen geometry and slippery material design. The goal of the project is to engineer tympanostomy tubes that more efficiently...

This $304,723 Project Grant was awarded on April 15, 2025 by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) under the federal "Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders" grant program (CFDA 93.173) to Qualia Oto, Inc., a for-profit company based in Dallas, Texas. The grant aims to assess the viability of robotic-assisted, shape-conforming cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays as a new solution for achieving atraumatic cochlear...

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) awarded a $186,199 Project Grant (CFDA 93.173 - Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders) to Utah State University (USU) to develop an automated analytical technique to evaluate early auditory evoked potential morphology. The goal is to create a user-friendly tool that can automatically analyze auditory evoked potential responses and identify sensory and neural pathologies that contribute to hearing...