About
Communicative Disorders

During development of the mammalian inner ear, specification of cells to form distinct sensory structures for hearing is known to depend on two important signaling molecules called Shh and Wnt.

Earlier research showed that Shh was critical for the development of the auditory cavity or sac into the cochlea for hearing, but little was known about what signaled the development of the vestibular organs necessary for balance.

Is Wnt responsible? More...

What is auditory neuropathy?
Auditory neuropathy is a hearing disorder in which sound enters the inner ear normally but the transmission of signals from the inner ear to the brain is impaired. It can affect people of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. The number of people affected by auditory neuropathy is not known, but the condition affects a relatively small percentage of people who are deaf or hearing-impaired.

What should I do?

Hearing problems are serious. The most important thing you can do if you think you have a hearing problem is to go see a doctor. Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist (oh-

toe-lair-in-GAH-luh-

jist), more...

Why am I losing my hearing?

Hearing loss happens for many reasons. Some people lose their hearing slowly as they age. This condition is known as presbycusis (prez-buh-

KYOO-sis). Doctors do not know why presbycusis happens, but it seems to run in families. More...