Research

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.

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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.

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Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss: Interpreting Preliminary Clinical Trial Results

Our independent analysis of the clinical trials’ published data yields the following insights on gene therapy for hearing loss from otoferlin variants. The clinical trials provide the first validation of pharmacological treatments for hearing loss.

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Cochlear Organoids Reveal How Supporting Cells Differentiate Into Hair Cells 

These details gleaned from this regenerative process in the mouse organoid provides insights into how mammalian supporting cells could be reprogrammed into hair cells.

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Hyperacusis Research Presentation at ARO

At the 2024 Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) MidWinter Meeting, held in early February in Anaheim, California, our partner Hyperacusis Research hosted a dinner where several researchers presented their latest findings.

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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. 

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Leveling Up Awareness About Gaming and the Risk to Hearing

Potential solutions include reducing dynamic range, volume reduction when not actively participating in the game, and actively reducing sounds that are known to induce tinnitus, or hearing ringing or buzzing sounds.

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Genetic Reprogramming Converts Nonsensory Cells into Sensory Cells in the Mature Cochlea

We have artificially expressed three key hair cell fate promoting proteins in nonsensory cells of adult mice, and found that a significant number of these cells will convert into cells resembling hair cells. This offers a potential strategy for hair cell regeneration. 

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Changes in the Brain with Age and Hearing Loss

A better understanding of how our brains process patterns with aging and hearing loss, and when neural responses are exaggerated versus diminished, can aid in developing treatments and devices to improve age- and hearing loss-related hearing difficulties.

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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.

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