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Auditory and Vestibular Research
Methods and Protocols
Hearing and Its Importance
Hearing is a sensory modality critical to both language and cognitive development. In its absence, and without sensory input through another modality, such as the manual/visual modality of sign language, cognitive and language development can be severely impaired in the earliest formative years of a child.
Insights from Auditory Science
In its endeavor to discover the mechanisms underlying audition, the field of auditory science has provided rich comparative physiological studies, allowing insights into both the micromechanical and electrochemical world of this system. For many years, the auditory/vestibular sciences have been influenced by the discoveries of electrical engineers and sensory physiologists, who have provided insights into the functions of this dynamic system.
Advancements in Hearing Restoration
The early discoveries in these fields, as well as advancements in microprocessing and materials technologies, provided a means whereby hearing could be regained partly through the use of a bionic device, known as a cochlear implant. Presently, this device and the auditory brainstem implant are the only ones to prosthetically replace brain function.
Genetic Research and Future Directions
With the advent of molecular biology tools, such as RT-PCR, the auditory and vestibular fields have made great strides in understanding the genetic basis for various hearing and balance disorders over the past fifteen to twenty years. These technologies permitted the discovery of genes that control inner ear structure and function by overcoming the hurdle of working with small amounts of tissue, as found in the inner ear.
