Sonia M. S. Rocha-Sanchez, Ph.D.

The Research

Creighton University

Role of central auditory neurons in pathogenic mechanism of progressive high frequency hearing loss (PHFHL)

The long-term objective of this study is to assess the relative contribution of Central Auditory Neurons (CANs) to high frequency hearing loss. The peripheral auditory system suggests that progressive hearing loss is resultant of SGNs and/or IHCs dysfunction. This study proposes to determine the effects of the mutations using genetically engineered mice with DN-KCNQ4 expression specific to CANs. Achieving these objectives will open doors to the formulation of therapeutic modalities and possible interventions to PHFHL treatment.