Hearing Group

The hearing research group specializes in studying the auditory system, with particular emphasis on the inner ear and the lower auditory pathways in both animal models and human subjects. Their primary focus is uncovering neural mechanisms underlying various types of hearing loss, including age-related, noise-induced, and those associated with autism or tinnitus. This foundational research aims to develop effective treatments for hearing disorders by understanding how auditory information is processed at different levels of the auditory pathway, from the cochlea through the brainstem to the auditory cortex.

Addressing hearing loss is crucial for public health, as untreated hearing impairment significantly impacts quality of life and is linked to serious secondary conditions, such as increased risks of social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. The group's work addresses this urgent health challenge by investigating potential therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological treatments, auditory training programs, and novel hearing aid technologies that might effectively treat or prevent hearing loss and its associated complications.