Kresge Hearing Research Institute
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1962 |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
| Website | http://www.khri.med.umich.edu/ |
The Kresge Hearing Research Institute (KHRI) is a part of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan. The institute consists of a dedicated group of scientists, physicians and staff working on basic and clinical aspects of hearing and balance, in health and disease. It is a shining example of excellence at the University of Michigan.
About Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions in the U.S., affecting almost 50 million people. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders:
- About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
- More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents.
- One in eight people in the United States (13%, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.
- About 2% of adults aged 45 to 54 have disabling hearing loss. The rate increases to 8.5 percent for adults aged 55 to 64. Nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
- Approximately 15% of Americans (26 million people) between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities.
About Vestibular Disorders
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result, such as vertigo, lightheadedness or imbalance. Vestibular disorders can also result from or be worsened by genetic or environmental conditions or occur for unknown reasons. It is estimated that as many as 35% of adults aged 40 years or older in the United States—approximately 69 million Americans—have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction. Although this statistic represents only adults over the age of forty, vestibular disorders affect people of all ages, adults and children alike. Individuals who suffer from vestibular disorders experience a decreased quality of life and are at a higher risk for falls.
History
The story begins in 1952, when Dr. Albert Furstenberg, chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, hired Dr. Merle Lawrence to establish a laboratory in auditory physiology and anatomy, located in the new Kresge Medical Research Building. In January 1960, an executive committee of the Medical School discussed the prospects for a new interdisciplinary hearing research institute funded by the Kresge Foundation. Less than a year later, the dreams of an institute dedicated to hearing research came true as the Regents of the University of Michigan formally established the KHRI. Dr. Merle Lawrence was appointed the Institute’s first director. Dr. Lawrence’s vision was that the Kresge Hearing Research Institute would be an interdisciplinary institute, which was unusual at the time.
The research institute first opened its doors to a brand new building in September 1962 to investigate the human hearing and cause of deafness. Based on the excellent scientific reputation of Dr. Merle Lawrence, along with his staff of 22, which included four faculty scientists representing four different areas of study, the Institute soon began to make its mark on auditory research. Today the KHRI is one of the leading hearing research institutes in the world with a breadth of disciplines and research areas that are unmatched.
Leadership
The Kresge Hearing Research Institute has been led by just four directors: Merle Lawrence, Ph.D. (1962-1984); Josef Miller, Ph.D. (1984-2000); Jochen Schacht, Ph.D. (2000-2014); and now Gabriel Corfas, Ph.D. (2014-current). These men represent more than five decades of leadership excellence. Together they have helped make the KHRI a world leader in hearing research, carrying on the tradition of multidisciplinary collaboration, crossing departments, universities and nations to form relationships that propel the research forward.
Faculty
- Richard A. Altschuler, Ph.D.
- Gregory J. Basura, M.D., Ph.D.
- Sanford Bledsoe, Ph.D.
- Michael J. Brenner, M.D., FACS
- Thomas E. Carey, Ph.D.
- Gabriel Corfas, Ph.D.
- David Dolan, Ph.D.
- R. Keith Duncan, Ph.D.
- Glenn E. Green, M.D.
- W. Michael King, Ph.D.
- David Kohrman, Ph.D.
- Marci M. Lesperance, M.D.
- Kara Leyzac, Au.D., Ph.D.
- Josef M. Miller, Ph.D.
- Silvana M. Papagerakis, M.S., M.D., Ph.D.
- Bryan E. Pfingst, Ph.D.
- Yehoash Raphael, Ph.D.
- Jochen Schacht, Ph.D.
- Susan E. Shore, Ph.D.
Scientific Impact
During the last decade alone, the Institute’s impact on the field has been significant and broad. Researchers creatively attacked problems across the spectrum, from the regeneration of hair cells in the auditory periphery, to central aspects and disorders of auditory processing, such as tinnitus. The Institute also conducted the first successful clinical trial demonstrating that it is possible to prevent acquired hearing loss. Achievements like these are not possible without the collaborative spirit that thrives at the KHRI. The KHRI faculty and staff instill the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in their trainees, many of whom go on to become department chairs, institute directors, etc., all around the world. The KHRI legacy is truly global.