Of relevance to hyperacusis, prior noise-induced hearing loss leads to the generation of prolonged and repetitive activity in type II neurons and surrounding tissues. This aberrant signaling may be the basis for the sensitivity to everyday sounds seen in hyperacusis.
Surprising Role of Auditory Neurons in Learning Revealed by Study in Mice
These findings suggest that the auditory cortex may transmit significant non-auditory signals relevant for learning-related plasticity.
How the Brain Filters Out Tinnitus Signals in Mild Cases
As a result, increased prefrontal activity may be helpful in improving gating function (automatic filtering), a topic for future research.
How Neurons in the Brain Coordinate Movement and Prevent Falls
Activity by special neurons called unipolar brush cells reveals that they may introduce delays or increase the length of firing responses, and presumably extend vestibular sensory representations.
Seeing Friends at ARO in Anaheim
Palpable excitement was raised by reports from researchers who have recently published results of landmark gene therapy trials in young children targeting the otoferlin gene.
Our Impact This Year, Thanks to You
Recent Research From ERG Alumni
The effect an Emerging Research Grant has on the hearing and balance fields is evident by the discoveries our funded researchers continue to make. Here are recent highlights by ERG alumni, each getting a boost at the start of their career with a grant from HHF.
Emerging Research Grants: Call for Applications
The ERG program is a competitive process that awards grants to only the most promising investigators. Recipients are exceptionally well-positioned to win funding from major federal funders, with every $1 invested in ERG leading to an average of $56 in future funding.
Impact 2023
Insights Into Sound Processing in the Brain
The central auditory system is classically thought of as an ascending system, where acoustic information is processed across a step-by-step hierarchy of increasingly complex circuits. However, this model is simplistic because we know that higher order brain regions such as the auditory cortex also send descending projections back to “lower” circuits.