Advancing the Field of Human Ear Research

The Otopathology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota is part of the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource Network. The Network is a consortium of five esteemed Human Temporal Bone Laboratories dedicated to advancing the field of otopathological research through sharing knowledge, resources, and making human temporal bone specimens available to a wider community of researchers, scientists, and clinicians.

The Network aims to broaden human temporal bone research by providing ample access to rare human and animal tissue that can be used for hearing and balance research. Some of the features of the Network include:

Tissue processing and other resources

The NIDCD National Human Ear Resource Network provides researchers, scientists, and clinicians a wealth of resources to encourage the use of human temporal bones in scientific research. In the Network website, you will find ways in which we consult, collaborate and help interested parties access and utilize human temporal bones in their scientific research.

Digital human temporal bone library

The NIDCD has partnered with FaceBase to digitize human temporal bone histological specimens to support a variety of research projects. This endeavor will be available for researchers soon.

National Hearing and Balance Organ Donor Program

Human temporal bones are an invaluable resource for learning about the pathology and pathophysiology of otologic disorders. The National Hearing and Balance Organ Donor Program is a resource for researchers exploring communication, hearing, and balance disorders. The program, sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) through the HTORR program, maintains and expands the collection and disbursement of tissues, including the temporal bone, brain, and muscle samples.