A well-known imaging test that radiologists use to monitor blood flow from the heart may soon be utilized to identify problem areas of the ear for patients experiencing age-related hearing loss. Robert Frisina, university professor and chair of the USF Department of Medical Engineering, is working with Moffitt Cancer Center to develop cutting-edge imaging that more accurately identifies problem areas using this unique method.
The imaging provides information on the cochlea. The cochlea is a hollow, spiral-shaped, fluid-filled cavity in the temporal bone. It’s also known as the inner ear. It has has a “biological battery” needed for transmitting sound vibration information to the brain. Over time, the battery deteriorates, and it has been nearly impossible to clinically determine why.
“Diagnosing how healthy this biological battery is in patients is not yet possible. Our innovative imaging approach may make this doable in the near future for otolaryngologists and audiologists,” Frisina said.
The research team is using medical imaging involving the use of a tracer. A tracer is a small amount of radioactive material that will allow radiologists to see what’s occurring inside the ear. It’s administered through an IV and is commonly used during positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
By differentiating the functionality of different parts of the cochlea, physicians can prescribe medication that will treat that specific area as a future option. Instead of just the blanketed approach of prescribing hearing aids.
Grant from the National Institutes of Health
Frisina is now fine-tuning the procedure with an R1 research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This grant is one of the most prestigious forms of federal biomedical funding. He hopes that by combining biomedical engineering and imaging with hearing sciences, his team will begin clinical trials at the conclusion of the two-year grant period. They ultimately hope to achieve a translational breakthrough for individuals experiencing hearing loss.
This study is in addition to an ongoing $9 million grant awarded to Frisina’s team by the NIH. They are using the money to better understand age-related hearing loss and develop a medication to treat it. He and his group patented a new medication in 2019. They are currently seeking to work with a pharmaceutical company toward FDA approval.