The University of Sheffield
Samuel Webb is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield, where he studies how exposure to loud noise early in life may weaken the auditory system in ways that accelerate hearing decline with age.
His research is driven by a long-term goal: to uncover the earliest biological changes that make the ear more vulnerable to damage, to inform preventative strategies that preserve hearing across the lifespan. He is currently an RNID-Vivensa Foundation Fellow.
How exposure to loud noise might accelerate age-related hearing loss
Read about Samuel’s research projectSamuel’s approaches to hearing research
I’m motivated by having seen first-hand how hearing loss, in its many forms, can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. These personal observations have deeply influenced the direction of my research and continue to shape my commitment to finding solutions that can make a real difference for those affected.
I didn’t begin my scientific career with the intention of working in hearing research, but as I learned more, I became increasingly drawn to the complexity of the auditory system and the profound real-world impact of hearing loss. That combination of intellectual challenge and the opportunity to improve people’s lives ultimately led me to commit fully to this field.
I hope that my research will help explain why people exposed to loud noise, whether through their environment or lifestyle, are more likely to experience a faster progression of age-related hearing loss. By identifying these early risk factors, I aim to lay the foundation for new strategies that can preserve hearing over time and ultimately improve the quality of life for those affected.