The sensory cells in the inner ear and the touch receptors in the skin actually have a lot in common, according to a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) Stem Cell laboratory of Neil Segil, Ph.D., published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences.
The Latent Regenerative Potential of the Inner Ear
Scientists from the laboratory of Neil Segil, Ph.D., have identified a natural barrier to the regeneration of the inner ear’s sensory cells, which are lost in hearing and balance disorders. Overcoming this barrier may be a first step in returning inner ear cells to a newborn-like state that’s primed for regeneration
Measuring Children’s Ability to Hear Speech in Different Competing Backgrounds
Young children spend much of their day listening in noise. However, it is clear that, compared with adults, infants and children are highly susceptible to interference from competing background sounds.
The Gene C1ql1 Is Expressed in Adult Outer Hair Cells of the Mouse Cochlea
We found C1QL1 expression in the cochlear tissue of adult mice, but not in neonatal or developing mice, indicating that the protein is not involved with the development of any aspect of the auditory system. This developmental regulation is surprising as both C1QL1 and the related C1QL3 have synaptogenic functions.
Webinar Recap: The Present and Future of Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration
On July 12, Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) hosted “The Present and Future of Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration” on Zoom. This webinar was co-presented by 2009-2010 ERG scientist Ronna Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D. of the Hearing Restoration Project, and the consortium’s scientific director, Lisa Goodrich, Ph.D.
Elusive Cell Type in Fish Sensory Organs Discovered
Researchers from the Piotrowski Lab describe their discovery of the occasional occurrence of a pair of cells within post-embryonic and adult neuromasts that are not labeled by lateral line markers. When using a technique called Zebrabow, these cells are labeled a different color than the rest of the neuromast.
Several Novel Findings Describing Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration in Birds
Funding provided by Hearing Health Foundation through the Hearing Restoration Project (HRP) has helped the development of a new research program in the laboratory of Stefan Heller, Ph.D., at Stanford University focusing on chicken hair cell regeneration. Several years after its inception, this research is now bearing fruit.
Study Explains ‘Cocktail Party Effect’ In Hearing Impairment
Commonly known as the “cocktail party effect,” people with hearing loss find it’s especially difficult to understand speech in a noisy environment. New research suggests that this may have less to do with actually discerning sounds. Instead, it may be a processing problem in which two ears blend different sounds together.
Do Transparent Face Coverings Help With Communication?
Shortly after the pandemic began, we began collecting various types of face coverings (transparent and nontransparent) to study the sound quality using a broad noise presented through a styrofoam mannequin head with a speaker mounted in its mouth.
Proceeds from Hearing Health & Technology Matters Awards Program to Benefit HHF
HHTM honors technological innovation and achievement in the hearing industry. In its inaugural year, HHTM successfully raised over $4,000 for the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) through the awards program. For 2021, the organization hopes to double its impact by supporting both HLAA and HHF.