Hough Ear Institute

02/06/2026

Ringing. Buzzing. Hissing.
If you live with tinnitus, you know how exhausting it can be — and how alone it can sometimes feel.

That’s why we created Tinnitus Together, a free support group at Hough Ear Institute.

This group meets virtually and in person and is hosted by Caleb Scoville, LPC, who also lives with tinnitus himself. It’s a safe, understanding space where people can share experiences, learn coping strategies, exchange practical tips, and simply connect with others who truly “get it.”

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Learn more or join here: https://ow.ly/fpnK50Y41xS

Red Rock Behavioral Health Services

02/04/2026

Today is World Cancer Day — a time to honor the strength of those facing cancer and to support advances that improve quality of life during treatment. 💙

Many people don’t realize that some cancer treatments can affect hearing. This is called ototoxicity — when certain medications can damage the inner ear, sometimes leading to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or balance issues.

At Hough Ear Institute, part of our research focuses on developing medications designed to help protect hearing and reduce these side effects. Our goal is to help give patients and families greater peace of mind as they undergo life-saving treatments.

Because surviving cancer should also mean preserving connection — to voices, music, and the sounds of everyday life.

02/03/2026

📺 Tune in today!

Catch our CEO, Dr. Matthew West, on KFOR-TV at 4:30 PM sharing about the work happening at Hough Ear Institute. We’re excited to see hearing health in the spotlight!

02/02/2026

This week is Tinnitus Awareness Week (Feb 2–8). 👂

Tinnitus is often described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears that don’t come from an outside source. For some, it’s occasional. For others, it can be constant and disruptive.

More than 25 million Americans experience tinnitus each year — and many feel like they’re navigating it alone.

At Hough Ear Institute, we’re committed to both advancing research and providing support for those living with tinnitus. You don’t have to face it by yourself.

American Tinnitus Association

01/30/2026

Did you know your old hearing aids could help someone hear again? 👂💙

Through HoughAid, we provide free hearing aids to Oklahomans in need — adults who couldn’t otherwise afford them. One of the ways we make that possible is by refurbishing donated hearing aids and giving them a second life.

If you have used hearing aids you no longer need, you can help change someone’s world simply by donating them.

Huge thank you to Fine Hearing Care in Edmond for donating over 100 hearing aids today! Your generosity will help so many people reconnect with the sounds of life.

Have questions about donating? Drop them in the comments or send us a DM!

01/30/2026

From all of us at Hough Ear Institute: thank you.

Because of our donors, partners, and supporters, 2025 was a year of meaningful impact through research, education, and programs that help people stay connected to the sounds of life.

We’re heading into 2026 with big plans, exciting research updates, and even more opportunities to make a difference, and we’re so grateful you’re part of this journey with us.

Here’s to what we’ve done together — and what’s still ahead.

01/27/2026

🔬 Research Sneak Peek 🔬

We’re excited to share a glimpse into one of the medications in development at Hough Ear Institute: HEI-117.

In simple terms, this medication is designed to help regrow tiny nerve connections in the inner ear that are essential for hearing. In recent testing, we’ve also seen that it protects hearing from noise-related damage.

HEI-117 is a single small-molecule drug — meaning it’s one carefully designed compound that could potentially be delivered in a practical and safe way. That’s an important step when working toward real-world treatments.

Next month, one of our researchers will present this work at the annual Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) meeting, where scientists from around the world share the latest discoveries in hearing and balance research.

We’re grateful to keep advancing research that moves us closer to protecting and restoring hearing.

01/25/2026

📚✨ International Day of Education ✨📚

At Hough Ear Institute, education is at the heart of our mission — and one of the ways we bring it to life is through our summer STEAM camps for low-income middle school students in Oklahoma City.

Each summer, students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to future possibilities — all while learning about hearing, sound, and the science behind how we connect to the world.

We can’t wait to welcome a new group of students this summer.
Be sure to keep an eye out for sign-ups and more information coming soon!

01/21/2026

Tinnitus can be exhausting. Frustrating. Isolating.

After receiving countless calls from people searching for help, we created Tinnitus Together — Oklahoma’s only tinnitus support group, offered completely free both in-person and virtually.

While our researchers continue working toward future treatments, we wanted to provide hope and support right now through connection and community.

Tinnitus Together is built to:
• Connect people who truly understand
• Inspire through shared experience
• Empower individuals to face daily challenges

You don’t have to walk this road alone.
Learn more or sign up at houghear.org/tinnitus-together

01/19/2026

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — a leader who believed deeply in dignity, justice, and the power of compassion.

As we reflect on his message, we’re reminded that access to healthcare, connection, and opportunity should be available to all. At Hough Ear Institute, we remain committed to advancing hearing health so individuals and families can fully participate in the world around them.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

01/15/2026

We were honored to welcome Dr. René Gifford from Hearts for Hearing as our guest speaker at this month’s Hearing Health Journal Club! 👂✨

Dr. Gifford shared exciting updates from her research focused on improving hearing outcomes for children and adults. In simple terms, her work studies how the brain processes sound and how we can use that knowledge to make hearing technology work better for the people who rely on it.

Thank you, Dr. Gifford, for your dedication to advancing hearing health and for sharing your passion and expertise with our community!

Special thanks to our corporate partner Bubba's 33 for providing our meal!

01/15/2026

We're so proud to have Neeraj Singh Thakur, Ph.D. as part of our research team at Hough Ear Institute, and we celebrate this accomplishment with him. Keep up the fantastic work, Neeraj!

Neeraj S. Thakur, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, has made a significant contribution to the field of drug delivery with a recent first-author publication in Nanomedicine. 🦠

The article, titled “A multimodal approach to smart and sustained drug delivery for corneal wound management: the GelPol nanoformulation,” presents a novel approach to treating corneal wounds using advanced nanotechnology. The research highlights a GelPol-based nanoformulation designed for smart and sustained drug release, offering new possibilities for improved eye care and therapeutic outcomes.

“This work represents an exciting step forward in ocular drug delivery,” said Dr. Thakur. “Our goal is to develop solutions that are both effective and patient-friendly, improving healing while reducing treatment burdens.”

The publication showcases the cutting-edge research being conducted at OU and underscores the university’s commitment to advancing scientific innovation in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.