Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) - Head & Neck Surgery

Betsy K. Davis, DMD, MS
Terry A. Day, MD
Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Mark A. Eckert, PhD
M. Boyd Gillespie, MD
Kelly C. Harris, PhD
Jack E. King, PhD
Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD
Ted A. Meyer, MD, PhD
John H. Mills, PhD
Rodney J. Schlosser, MD
R. A. Schmiedt, PhD
M. Rita Young, Ph.D.

Betsy K. Davis, DMD, MS
Center for Functional Outcomes and Reconstructive Biotechnology, funded by the NIH T32 Grant, NIH/NCRR Project #P20RRO17699, U24 Grant, $50,000, 2007.

Center for Functional Outcomes and Reconstructive Biotechnology, funded by the NIH Grant #P20RRO16461 and South Carolina INBRE Program, $50,000, 2007.

Center for Functional Outcomes and Reconstructive Biotechnology, $35,000 in private donations.

Terry A. Day, MD
42153MK-GC-2532/N66001-03 Reed (PrgDir)
08/01/02-08/31/05..
Department of Defense ($197,000.00)
DOD Phase VI: Prevention and Control and Translational Research: Project 6 - Evaluation of Biomarkers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Laser Capture Microdissection
Role on Project: Director of Project 6

42153MK-GC-2532/N66001-03 Gorham, E (PI)
08/01/02-08/31/05
Department of Defense ($200,000.00)
DOD Phase VI: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyses of Head and Neck Cancer Incidence and Mortality in South Carolina and in Active-Duty Military Populations: A Collaborative Population-based Study of the Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Defense
Role on Project: Co-Investigator

1 R01 DE016572-01 Ogremen, B (PI)
04/01/05-03/30/10
NIH/NIDCR(DC $218,250, IDC $89,240)
C18-Ceramide In Head and Neck Cancer Growth and Therapy
Role on Project: Co-Investigator

H75/CCH424532-01 Kraft (PI)
09/01/04-08/31/05
CDC (DC $2,103,489, IDC $763,782)
Proposal for Cancer Prevention and Control Program for Reducing Tobacco-Related Malignancies in South Carolina
Role on Project: Co-Investigator

Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Project Title: Auditory Analysis and Speech Recognition
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01 DC00184-25)
Total Project Period: 12/1/81-6/30/11
Total Project Award: $1,137,500 Direct/$489,125 Indirect/$1,626,625 Total
Principal Investigator: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Co-investigators: Jayne B. Ahlstrom, MS; Amy R. Horwitz, PhD; Ning-ji He, PhD
Project Summary: This research program addresses basic questions related to perception of auditory information and recognition of speech by individuals with normal hearing and cochlear hearing loss. Experiments are designed to test hypotheses within the framework of the active process of the cochlea, which is responsible for many fundamental properties of audition. A long-term goal is to discover the bases and means for reducing the detrimental effects of cochlear hearing loss on the perception of speech. A better understanding of these effects is essential if individuals with cochlear hearing loss are to achieve maximum benefit from amplified speech in adverse listening conditions.
Role: Principal Investigator

Project Title: Experimental and Clinical Studies of Presbyacusis (Project 2, Speech Understanding in Realistic Environments)
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (P50 DC00422-20)
Total Project Period: 7/1/87-6/30/07 (7/1/07-6/30/12, Pending)
Total Project Award: Entire Program: $5,498,311 Direct / $2,492,850 Indirect / $7,991,161 Total
Total Project Award: Project 2: $916,629 Direct / $412,377 Indirect / $1,329,006 Total
Center Director: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Principal Investigator of Project 2: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Co-investigators: Jayne B. Ahlstrom, MS; Amy R. Horwitz, PhD; Mark A. Eckert, PhD; Ning-ji He, PhD; Elizabeth A. Poth, MS
Project Summary: This subproject addresses questions concerning the perception of speech information by older adults as delivered in realistic environments and the benefit of hearing aids.
Role: Principal Investigator

Project Title: Experimental and Clinical Studies of Presbyacusis (Core A, Administration)
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (P50 DC00422-20)
Total Project Period: 7/1/87-6/30/07 (7/1/07-6/30/12, Pending)
Total Project Award: Entire Program: $5,498,311 Direct / $2,492,850 Indirect/ $7,991,161 Total
Total Project Award: Core A: $435,412 Direct / $200,291 Indirect / $635,703 Total
Center Director: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Principal Investigator of Core A: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Project Summary: The primary function of Core A is to provide administrative and technical support to the Program Director and to the Principal Investigators of the projects.
Role: Principal Investigator

Project Title: Automated Test of Word Recognition – Phase II
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R42 DC 006509-02)
Total Project Period: 4/1/05 3/31/07
Total Project Award: $665,323 Direct/ $65,561 Indirect/$730,884 Total
Total Project Award (MUSC Subcontract): $121,353 Direct / $55,822 Indirect / $177,175 Total
Principal Investigator: Robert H. Margolis, PhD
Principal Investigator (MUSC Subcontract): Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Co-investigators: Judy R. Dubno, PhD; Fu-Shing Lee, PhD; Lois J. Matthews, MA; Richard H. Wilson, PhD; Jan van Santen, PhD
Project Summary: This Phase II STTR project will test an automated clinical word recognition test system using automatic speech recognition technology to score  subjects’ responses, and statistical methods to interpret results.
Role: Principal Investigator of MUSC Subcontract

Mark A. Eckert, PhD
Project Title: Computer Aided Diagnosis of Subtle Brain Injury
Funding Agency: Health Sciences of South Carolina and the Duke Endowment
Total Project Period: 7/1/07-6/30/08
Project Summary: This project involves the development of an image-based bioinformatics database and automated image processing algorithms to identify subtle brain injury in the MRI scans of people with temporal lobe epilepsy, mild cognitive impairment, and traumatic brain injury.
Role: Principal Investigator
 
Project Title: Brain Imaging of Age-related Changes in Speech Recognition
Funding Agency: American Federation for Aging Research
Total Project Period: 8/1/07-7/30/09
Project Summary: The ability to follow conversation becomes more difficult as we get older. We may have difficulty hearing speech or maintaining our focus on what people are talking about. Our AFAR supported project uses brain imaging techniques to examine the structure and function of brain systems important for hearing speech and important for maintaining focus or attention on speech. We are examining the extent to which age-related declines in these systems can explain the speech recognition problems of older adults.
Role: Principal Investigator

M. Boyd Gillespie, MD
Metastasis-associated proteins in oral and head and neck cancer. SC Dental COBRE, NIDCR, 11/1/04 – 10/31/06, $207,111 (30% Effort)
A Randomized Trial: Comparing Preservation of Function Status After Either Medpulser Electroporation with Intratumoral Bleomycin Therapy or Surgery in Patients with Locally Recurrent or Second Primary Squamous Call Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, or Larynx. Genetronics, 1/1/05 – 12/31/08, $206,502
Tracheostomy-related quality of life with the Speak-EZ tracheotomy tube. Technical Products of Georgia, 3/1/04-3/1/05, $4618.75 (0.5% effort).
Metastasis-associated proteins in oral and head and neck cancer. SC Dental COBRE, NIDCR, 11/1/04- 10/31/06, $207,111 (30% Effort).
A phase II randomized trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy plus C225 (Cetuximab) for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Bristol-Myers Squibb, 3/1/05-2/28/06.
A Randomized Trial: Comparing Preservation of Function Status After Either Medpulser Electroporation with Intratumoral Bleomycin Therapy or Surgery in Patients with Locally Recurrent or Second Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, or Larynx. Genetronics, 1/1/05-12/31/08, $206,502.

Project Title: Auditory temporal processing in the aging ear and brain
Funding Agency: National Institute of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (K23 DC008787-01)
Total Project Period: 4/1/07-3/31/12 (Pending)
Total Project Award: $595,456 Direct / $47,636 Indirect / $643,092 Total
Principal Investigator: Kelly C. Harris, PhD
Mentors: John H. Mills, PhD, Judy R. Dubno, PhD, Mark A. Eckert, PhD
Project Summary: This is a K23 Career Development Award for Kelly C. Harris, PhD to provide mentored research training in electrophysiology, psychophysics, and functional imaging and to conduct research on age-related changes in auditory temporal processing.
Role: Candidate

Jack E. King, PhD
Project Title: Objective Measures in Cochlear Implants
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
Total Project Period: 07/2005 – 07/2007
Total Project Award: $35,058
Principle Investigator: Jack King, Ph.D.
Mentor: Paul R. Lambert, M.D.
Project Summary: The overall goal of this project is to predict minimum and maximum electrical stimulation levels from NRT measures for subjects of all ages. Although this has been demonstrated for adults in preliminary data, the results can not be generalized to younger subjects because age-related changes have been demonstrated in the auditory system. In addition, it has been observed clinically that the NRT responses obtained from children are much more robust than obtained from adults, suggesting an age-related effect on the electrically-evoked neural response. This apparent age-related decline in NRT response may be secondary to degeneration of the spiral ganglion fibers that is known to occur as a function of age. By focusing research efforts on two specific aims, age-appropriate regression equations for predicting minimum and maximum electrical stimulation levels can be developed for clinical use. The first aim of the project is to evaluate the effect of age on predicted and measured stimulation levels. Subjects will include adults ranging in age from 18 to 80 years. NRT threshold, slope of the NRT growth function, and electrode impedance will be obtained for all active electrodes and correlated with minimum and maximum stimulation levels for the respective electrodes. Regression analysis will be performed to determine which variables have significant relations with the stimulation levels, and additional analysis will be undertaken to determine if adjustments in predictions are required to compensate for subject age. It is hypothesized that this relationship will vary with age, thus requiring the development of predictive functions for specific age groups (e.g., young adults, middle aged adults, elderly adults). The second aim of the project is to apply the objective measures of electrical stimulation levels using NRT thresholds and NRT slope to young children. The protocol for Aim 1 will be repeated for the pediatric subjects, with the exception of minimum stimulation level measurement. To minimize interpretation bias, eSR will be used to determine maximum stimulation level. Regression analysis will be performed to determine which variables have significant relations with the stimulation levels and will be analyzed for age-effects. It is hypothesized that the predictive technique utilized with adults will apply to younger subjects and that children will require age-appropriate predictive functions due to maturational changes in their auditory pathways.

Project Title: Clinical Study of the Nucleus© BEAM™ Adaptive Two-Microphone Technology Protocol
Funding Agency: Cochlear Corporation
Total Project Period: 02/2006 – 11/2006
Total Project Award: $4,300
Principle Investigator: Jack King, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators: Ted A. Meyer, M.D., Ph.D. and Abby Connell, M.A.
Project Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits of the Nucleus BEAM™ adaptive two-microphone technology in the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system in understanding speech in noise. The study will be conducted as a within-subject experiment in order to accommodate the heterogeneity known to characterize hearing-impaired populations. Blinding or masking procedures cannot be included as it will be necessary for the subject to utilize the BEAM™ program in certain listening environments. For this study, auditory function will be evaluated using a common test battery of speech perception after 3 months of experience using the BEAM™ program. A patient questionnaire will also be administered to capture qualitative aspects of their experience with the BEAM™ program.

Project Title: Utility of the vibrotactile task device (VTD) in patients with hearing loss.
Funding Agency: Grant proposal currently in preparation
Principle Investigator: Jack King, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators: Jorge E Gonzalez, Ph.D. (Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania), Michael I Fuller, M.S. (University of Virginia), Frederick E. Cobb, Ph.D. (Bay Pines VA Medical Center)
Project Summary: The examination of individuals suffering from dizziness and/or balance symptoms involves the evaluation of various components of the vestibular system. The tests that evaluate vestibular system function require the measurement of nystagmus, a specific eye movement that occurs in response to stimulation of the vestibular system, which can be suppressed with visual fixation. Hence, vestibular testing is performed either in the dark or with specially-fit goggles that block visual fixation. Certain tests of the vestibular system require that the patient be engaged mentally to prevent nystagmus suppression caused by decreased states of mental alertness. The maintenance of an alert state during vestibular assessment is most commonly accomplished via verbal interaction with the patient in a manner that requires responses (e.g. an active task). Previously, a device (VTD) was developed that utilized vibrotactile stimuli output to two vibrators placed on subjects’ left legs and received responses from two pushbuttons held in both hands. Preliminary results obtained from normal controls showed that the VTD was comparable to the verbal method of providing mental alerting. The proposed project seeks to build on the success of the preliminary project by further refining and improving the VTD prototype. As the original VTD requires updating, 20 normal-hearing subjects will undergo the same protocol as the preliminary study to establish that the modified design works as well as the preliminary design. Following confirmation of the function of the modified VTD, its applicability to patients with hearing loss will be examined by comparing the vibrotactile task to two other tasks (no task, verbal task) in subjects with significant sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD
Project Title: “Standardized assessment of swallowing impairment”
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (Grant Number 5 K23 DC576)
Total Project Period: 07/01/2003 - 04/30/2008
Total Project Award: $977,708
Principal Investigator: Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD
Co-investigators: N/A
Project Summary: The primary goal of this research plan is to create a tool for measurement of impairment in functional swallowing components observed on a MBS exam for use in clinical practice and in clinical research. In order to meet this requirement, the tool must be both interpretable and linked to clinical action (i.e. treatment recommendations, dietary restrictions, etc). This research plan is directed toward determining the appropriate functional areas of impairment that warrant evaluation on a MBS, and the empirical reduction of the number of obtained MBS measures into a parsimonious, non-redundant, clinically relevant set of components. The research plan will determine the reliability of the components, and determine their validity vis-à-vis their sensitivity to the presence of aspiration and to external indicators of health status and quality of life.

Project Title: “Implementing oral, head and neck cancer screening education programs for healthcare providers”
Funding Agency: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Total Project Period: 01/01/2005 - 07/31/2005
Total Project Award: $57,017
Principal Investigator: Martin B. Brodsky, MA
Co-investigators: Barbara S. Grube, BS
Project Summary: There were two objectives for this study: 1.)to educate and train nurses in both the screening process for oral, head, and neck cancer and clinical practice guidelines for treating tobacco use and dependence and 2.) to collect, analyze, and report the data collected using the oral, head, and neck cancer screening and subsections of the 2005 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questionnaire from screened patients. The results of the relatively brief training program implemented suggest that nursing professionals can be adequately trained to screen for this disease. The results of the South Carolina Brief Risk Factor Surveillance System questionnaire in combination with the oral, head, and neck cancer screening, suggest that young individuals show positive signs of oral, head, and neck cancer. Though not all of these signs may have led to positive findings of cancer, healthcare professionals must not begin these screenings in middle age. Behaviors such as alcohol drinking and tobacco use, strongly linked to oral, head, and neck cancer, begin in adolescence. Implications of trainings and the questionnaire results are discussed.

Ted A. Meyer, MD, PhD
Project Title: Signal detection with cochlear implants
Funding Agency: Wiley H. Harrison Award through the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery CORE Grant Program and the American Hearing Research Foundation Grant awarded to MUSC, Charleston, SC
Total Project Period: 01/01/07-12/31/07
Total Project Award: $24,848
Principal Investigator: Ted A. Meyer, MD, PhD
Project Summary: These studies have two primary objectives (i) to determine spatial frequency resolution in acoustic and electrical hearing; and (ii) to determine the effects of channel number, placement, and filter characteristics on frequency resolution in acoustic and electrical hearing. Cochlear implant users are able to detect tones in a background noise, but they do so less efficiently than listeners with normal hearing. We hope to codify differences in signal detection between the two groups through experiments employing a reproducible noise masking task and an analysis using a mathematical model of signal detection.

John H. Mills, PhD
Project Title: Experimental and Clinical Studies of Presbyacusis (Project 1, Individual Differences in Age-Related Hearing Loss)
Funding Agency: National Institute of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (P50 DC00422-20)
Total Project Period: 7/1/02-6/30/07
Total Project Award: Entire Program: $5,498,311 Direct/$2,492,850 Indirect/$7,991,161 Total
Total Project Award: Project 1: $1,482,408 Direct/$678,391 Indirect/$2,160,799 Total
Center Director: Judy R. Dubno, PhD
Principal Investigator of Project 1: John H. Mills, PhD
Co-Investigators: Judy R. Dubno, PhD, Lois Matthews, MS, Christine Strange, MS, Ning-ji He, PhD, Richard A. Schmiedt, PhD, Kelly C. Harris, PhD
Project Summary: This subproject provides psychophysical and electrophysiological assessments of individual differences in the aging monaural and binaural auditory system.
Role: Principal Investigator

Rodney J. Schlosser, MD
PI: Schlosser, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “Surfactant proteins A and D in chronic sinusitis of cystic fibrosis,” $86,400, 2005-07. This grant is to investigate both in vivo and in vitro models of CF chronic sinusitis to examine changes in SPA and SPD, alterations in response to known CF pathogens, and possible therapeutic interventions.

PI: Schlosser, MUSC University Research Committee New Investigator Grant, “Surfactant-associated proteins in upper respiratory tract defense,” $15,800, 2005-06. This grant is investigating all surfactant proteins (A, B, and D) in a variety of types of chronic sinusitis. Residents involved: Bradford Woodworth, MD.

PI: Schlosser, American Rhinologic Society, Young Investigator Award, “Surfactant-associated proteins A and D in chronic sinusitis,” $25,000, 2005-06. This grant is specifically designed to examine alterations in SPA and D in allergic fungal sinusitis and cystic fibrosis in human chronic sinusitis using in vivo samples.

Mentor (Schlosser) for 3 MUSC University Research Committee Resident Research Grants investigating the inflammatory response in chronic sinusitis, combined total of $6,000, 2004-05. These grants investigated adaptive and innate inflammatory mediators in chronic sinusitis. Residents involved: Bradford Woodworth, MD, Jeffrey Neal, MD, and Margaret Skinner, MD.

PI: Schlosser, Johnson & Johnson, “A Prospective, Multicenter Study to Evaluate Surgiflo® Hemostatic Matrix in Achieving Hemostasis in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery”, $17,500, 2005-06. This grant is a multi-institutional, prospective study led by MUSC to investigate hemostatic and healing properties of Surgiflo after endoscopic sinus surgery.

PI: Gillespie, co-investigator: Schlosser, Gyrus, “A Prospective, Multicenter Study to Evaluate Seprapak after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery”, $10,000, 2003-05. This grant is a multi-institutional, prospective study led by MUSC to investigate absorbable hyaluronic dressing after endoscopic sinus surgery.

PI: Schlosser, Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, Clinical Investigator Award, “Effects of second-hand smoke on sinonasal immunity”, $325,500. This grant is a 3 year proposal to investigate the effects of second hand smoke on the adaptive and innate immune responses in patients with chronic sinusitis.

PI: Schlosser, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Health Services Research Grant, “Sublingual immunotherapy for inhalant allergies: Clinical and immunologic outcomes”, $10,000. This is a prospective study to evaluate clinical outcomes and alterations in the immune response in patients with allergic rhinitis who undergo sublingual immunotherapy.

Co-PIs: Schlosser and Ahn, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, “Comparison of MQT with in vitro testing for inhalant allergies”, $10,000. This is a prospective study to compare the accuracy of blended skin testing techniques (MQT) with in vitro allergy screening. Resident involved: Chad Ahn, MD

R. A. Schmiedt, PhD
Project Title: Physiological Studies of Age-Related Hearing Loss
Funding Agency: National Institute of Health, National Institute on Aging (R01 AG 14748-08)
Total Project Period: 4/1/02-3/31/08
Total Project Award: $875,000 Direct / $1,251,250 Total
Principal Investigator: Richard A. Schmiedt, PhD
Co-Investigators: Hainan Lang, MD, PhD
Project Summary: Investigates effects of quiet aging on cochlear function using Mongolian gerbils as the animal model. Focus is on the declining endocochlear potential and its effect on auditory nerve physiology. Also examines current injection and stem cell strategies for ameliorating endocochlear potential decline.
Role: Principal Investigator

M. Rita Young, Ph.D.
Project Title: Defining and interrupting the pathways that lead to HNSCC invasiveness.
Funding Agency: Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
Total Project Period: October 2007 - September 2011 
Total Project Award: $507,000

Project Title: Immunotherapy to prevent oral premalignant lesion recurrence and oral
cancer
Funding Agency: CTSA Institutional Pilot Project Program
Total Project Period: February 16, 2007 - February 15, 2008 
Total Project Award: $50,000