Research in Prevention and Treatment of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity about?

This Office of Naval Research (ONR) opportunity funds research focused on preventing and treating Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus, with the broader goal of preserving hearing, restoring hearing after damage, and reducing operational and quality-of-life impacts for military personnel.

2) Why is ONR funding research on NIHL and tinnitus?

The solicitation frames NIHL and tinnitus as major readiness and long-term health issues for service members, and notes they represent the largest areas of disability compensation for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The intent is to advance science and technology that can reduce these impacts.

3) Who is offering the opportunity within ONR?

The opportunity is offered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) through its Warfighter Protection and Applications Division within the Warfighter Performance Department (Code 342).

4) What is the official title and Funding Opportunity Number?

The listing is titled "Research in Prevention and Treatment of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)" and appears on Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA11 018.

5) What types of submissions were invited?

The solicitation invited both white papers (as preproposals) and full proposals.

6) What is the overall technical scope?

The technical scope is broad and spans the pipeline from basic mechanisms through applied tools and prototype technologies. It includes hearing preservation and restoration, susceptibility identification, rapid assessment and decision-support approaches, training tools, combat-related ear trauma treatment, tinnitus etiology research, and prototype technologies for monitoring and reducing individual noise exposure.

7) What research topics are included under preserving and restoring hearing?

One major area focuses on preserving and restoring hearing, including research on regenerating cochlear hair cells. This includes approaches intended to stimulate the body to replace lost hair cells using genetic, neurotrophic, pharmacologic, or similar strategies, as well as transplantation approaches using stem cells or progenitor cells.

8) Does the opportunity allow stem cell research?

Yes. The announcement explicitly allows adult or embryonic stem cell work, within the scope described for transplantation approaches (such as using stem cells or progenitor cells) related to regenerating cochlear hair cells.

9) Are there special requirements for embryonic stem cell use?

Yes. If embryonic stem cells are anticipated, the submission must include adequate information demonstrating compliance (or a clear plan for compliance) with applicable executive orders, statutes, regulations, and guidance related to pluripotent stem cells, including details about how the stem cells were derived.

10) What prevention or treatment approaches for hair cell loss are mentioned?

The solicitation mentions prevention and treatment methods for hair cell loss such as drugs to reduce damage, anti-apoptosis strategies, manipulation of key signaling pathways, enzyme-based or antioxidant treatments (including mimicry approaches), and development of novel cochlear implant technologies.

11) Is research on cochlear implant technology within scope?

Yes. The announcement includes development of novel cochlear implant technologies as part of the prevention and treatment methods for hair cell loss.

12) Does the opportunity support research on who is most susceptible to NIHL and/or tinnitus?

Yes. A major area targets identifying individuals or populations that are more susceptible to NIHL and/or tinnitus.

13) What kinds of susceptibility research does ONR describe?

Examples include genetics and biomarker work such as studying DNA sequence variation to identify genotype patterns or single nucleotide polymorphisms correlated with NIHL or tinnitus, evaluating inheritable traits as potential risk factors, and exploring other biomarker or biometric indicators.

14) Are assessment tools for susceptibility part of the scope?

Yes. ONR sought development and validation of assessment tools that could be used in practice to rapidly evaluate susceptibility.

15) What examples of susceptibility assessment methods are provided?

Examples mentioned include using otoacoustic emissions, accounting for pre-existing hearing loss, and other reliable methods and factors that can quickly determine risk.

16) Does the solicitation include rapid detection of hearing changes and follow-on recommendations?

Yes. The opportunity calls for practical tools and methodologies that can rapidly detect changes in hearing thresholds and then recommend the most effective individualized mitigation or treatment strategies.

17) Is there an emphasis on linking measurement to action (decision support)?

Yes. The described goal implies interest in decision-support approaches that connect measured changes (like threshold shifts) to individualized mitigation or treatment actions to enable faster intervention after exposure or early signs of damage.

18) Does the opportunity include training tools for hearing protection and awareness?

Yes. It includes training-focused research and development: advanced training tools for audiologists and service members that realistically demonstrate hearing loss and tinnitus and encourage correct, consistent use of hearing protection.

19) Why does the solicitation emphasize training and proper use of hearing protection?

The training emphasis reflects the operational reality that hearing protection is only effective when used correctly and routinely.

20) Does the scope include combat-related ear trauma?

Yes. The scope extends to combat-related ear trauma and its treatment, inviting both surgical and nonsurgical approaches for middle and inner ear injuries.

21) What kinds of ear trauma solutions are described?

The solicitation mentions reconstruction, replacement, or augmentation of hearing structures, indicating interest in solutions addressing blast or other combat mechanisms of injury, not only steady-state occupational noise exposure.

22) Is tinnitus basic research included?

Yes. Another area supports basic research into the underlying causes (etiology) of tinnitus.

23) Why is tinnitus etiology research highlighted?

The solicitation notes that tinnitus can persist even when traditional hearing tests may not fully explain symptom severity, and that mechanistic understanding can guide better therapies.

24) Does the opportunity support prototype technologies for monitoring and reducing noise exposure?

Yes. ONR solicited prototype technologies (or the specifications needed to build them) aimed at monitoring and reducing individual noise exposure.

25) What kinds of noise exposure monitoring or reduction concepts are included?

The scope includes concepts implemented through passive or electronic hearing devices, as well as broader noise exposure reduction methods, with emphasis on individual monitoring and personalized exposure tracking that can work in real-world military settings.

26) What type of funding is this categorized as?

It was categorized as discretionary funding.

27) What funding instruments might ONR use?

The announcement indicates the funding instruments could include cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, or other mechanisms, depending on the work and ONR's needs.

28) What is the activity category and CFDA number?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number associated with the announcement is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

29) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching was not required.

30) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to any type of entity unless further limited by details in the full announcement.

31) Where should applicants confirm white paper due dates and submission details?

The synopsis indicates that white paper due dates and submission details should be confirmed in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or in the application instructions in the full posting.

32) Who is the point of contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed point of contact for access issues related to the full announcement is Patrick Sisk, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-6804.

33) What if someone has questions related to Grants.gov?

The posting notes that Grants.gov questions could also be directed through the appropriate channels.