National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Logo

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is one of the institutes that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The NIDCD was established to conduct and support research and research training on normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.

History

The NIDCD was established by the United States Congress in 1988. Its creation was driven by the need to address the significant public health issues related to communication disorders, which affect millions of Americans. The institute's mission is to improve the lives of people with communication disorders through research, education, and dissemination of health information.

Research Areas

The NIDCD supports research in several key areas:

• Hearing and Balance: This includes research on the mechanisms of hearing and balance, as well as disorders such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.
• Taste and Smell: Research in this area focuses on the chemical senses, including disorders like anosmia and ageusia.
• Voice, Speech, and Language: This encompasses research on the development and disorders of voice, speech, and language, including conditions such as stuttering and aphasia.

Leadership

Debara L. Tucci

The current director of the NIDCD is Debara L. Tucci, who has been leading the institute since 2019. Dr. Tucci is a renowned otolaryngologist with a focus on hearing loss and cochlear implants.

James F. Battey Jr.

Previous directors include James F. Battey Jr., who served from 1998 to 2018, and was instrumental in advancing the institute's research agenda.

James Byron Snow, Jr.

James Byron Snow, Jr. also served as a director, contributing significantly to the field of otolaryngology.

Judith A. Cooper

Judith A. Cooper has been a key figure in the institute, serving as the deputy director and contributing to the strategic planning and implementation of research initiatives.

Programs and Initiatives

The NIDCD funds a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at advancing research and improving public health outcomes. These include:

• Research Grants: Funding for basic and clinical research projects.
• Training and Career Development: Programs to support the next generation of scientists and clinicians in the field of communication disorders.
• Public Health Campaigns: Initiatives to raise awareness about communication disorders and promote early detection and intervention.

Related Pages

• National Institutes of Health
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Otolaryngology

Template:Deafness and hearing impairment