Update following the webinar: HHF has published a summary of the webinar in their Winter 2026 magazine, read it here

Please join us on Tuesday, October 21, at 7:00 pm Eastern Time / 4:00 pm Pacific Time for our Research Webinar, which will be held via Zoom. There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. Click this link to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WP3LFvzaTsi6ph-drmO17g

All are welcome – please forward this email to your family, friends, medical providers and encourage them to register – anyone who would like to learn more about hyperacusis.

The webinar will feature three leading researchers working to find a cure for hyperacusis: James Henry, Ph.D., Megan Beers Wood, Ph.D, and Thanos Tzounopoulos, Ph.D.

Dr. Henry, a renowned research audiologist who spent most his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, Oregon, will speak on potential mechanisms that cause loudness hyperacusis and pain hyperacusis.

Dr. Wood, of Vanderbilt University, will discuss her research into hyperacusis, which has especially focused on auditory nerve fibers of the inner ear that may act as pain receptors after exposure to damaging levels of noise.

Dr. Tzounopoulos, of the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss the ongoing research at his laboratory, especially the development of a medication, currently called RL-81, that may be effective in treating hyperacusis.

The webinar will have subtitles available to assist those unable to tolerate audio.

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introduction

Mike Maholchic, President of Hyperacusis Research

2. Overview of Webinar and Introduction of BBC News Video

Steven Barad, M.D.
A brief overview of the session and introduction to the BBC News segment.

3. BBC News Video about Hyperacusis

An inside look at how hyperacusis affects daily life — and why awareness and research matter.

4. James Henry, Ph.D., Veterans Health Administration (Retired)

Topic: What Makes Ears Hurt?

5. Megan Beers Wood, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Topic: Auditory nerve fibers of the inner ear that may act as pain receptors after exposure to damaging levels of noise

6. Thanos Tzounopoulos, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Topic: Development of medication that may be effective in treating hyperacusis

7. A Family Perspective – Dr. Barad

A personal look at the impact of hyperacusis on families and loved ones.

8. Pre-submitted Questions & Answers Session

An opportunity to engage directly with our expert speakers.

9. Wrap-Up and Closing

Mike Maholchic, President of Hyperacusis Research

 

The Research Webinar kicks off our Fall Fundraiser to Find a Cure. An anonymous donor has generously agreed to match all contributions up to $50,000. For every dollar you donate, the anonymous donor will match it.

If we can raise $50,000 in our Fall Fundraiser to Find a Cure, the anonymous donor will contribute the full $50,000 for a total of $100,000 raised. Your donations fund research grants to find a cure for hyperacusis through the Emerging Research Grant (ERG) program of our partner, Hearing Health Foundation.

Each ERG grant costs $100,000. So if we are successful, with your help, to reach $50,000, the anonymous donor will bring us up to the full $100,000 – enough to fund a new grant! Hyperacusis Research has funded 12 ERG grants to date, and we look forward to speeding the pace of research with your help.

We are hosting our Fall Fundraiser to Find a Cure with GoFundMe. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. To donate with a credit card, click this link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hyperacusis-research-fundraiser-to-find-a-cure

You will be able to see our progress in real time. If you would prefer to donate with a check, it will be added to the GoFundMe page after we receive it, so the GoFundMe page will show our total progress. Our mailing address for check donations is:

Hyperacusis Research
P.O. Box 1295
Marlboro, MA 01752

Please consider becoming a Monthly Subscription Benefactor by selecting the “Monthly” option with GoFundMe. We currently have 18 Monthly Subscription Benefactors. Our goal during the Fall Fundraiser to Find a Cure is to increase that to 50. Even a modest amount such as $5 a month adds up, and if you are able to contribute more, that of course helps more.

Hyperacusis Research has no salaries or office costs – our nonprofit is composed of all unpaid volunteers, so we have very low overhead. This means that almost every penny of your contribution goes directly to research to find a cure for noise-induced pain.