Autoimmune Hearing Loss in Cochlear Implant Patients
Protocol ID
Protocol Description
The purpose of this study is to identify if investigators can identify unique genetic expression changes in patients with autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). In patients with AIED, it is believed that unique proteins in the inner ear interact with the cells of the immune system to damage the inner ear and the ability to hear. In the laboratory we will expose inner ear fluid to the cells of the immune system that circulate in the blood, to see if we are able to determine what genetic changes are responsible for causing inner ear damage in AIED. By comparing results from those with AIED to other causes of hearing loss, we may be able to identify a better treatment for future AIED patients and preserve more residual hearing.
Eligibility Criteria
Patients with autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED)
Primary Investigator(s)
- Andrea Vambutas, MD