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Massachusetts Eye and Ear
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Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Eaton-Peabody Laboratories

Founded in 1958, the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories (EPL) is among the largest and longest-standing auditory research centers in the world, with 16 independent federally-funded laboratories working on the full spectrum of hearing research questions. Research is organized into five inter-related themes: inner ear biology, acoustics and biomechanics, central auditory processing, tinnitus and audiology research.

About Our Research

We are a multi-disciplinary team of basic scientists and clinician-scientists with combined strengths in neuroanatomy, physiology, psychology, pharmacology, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology and genetics. The research interests of our group span the auditory system from:

  • Peripheral to central
  • Animal model to human patient
  • Normal to abnormal function
  • Acoustics and mechanical engineering to cognitive neuroscience
  • Therapeutic research spanning cochlear gene therapy, neuroprosthetics and neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation

Most projects involve collaborations among multiple investigators, and most investigators participate in multiple projects.

We have trained many leaders in our field and are deeply committed to training the next generation of groundbreaking hearing researchers. Doctoral research can be carried out with our faculty under the Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology (SHBT), administered through the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School.

Our Investigators

EPL Cores

Our imaging, engineering, and histology resources also play an integral role in the work of the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories.