Our research aims to answer these basic questions. Currently, we are investigating one of the feedback pathways, which may act to minimize the masking effects of background noise. Understanding, the normal mechanisms underlying such anti-masking effects should help us understand why noisy backgrounds present such problems for the hearing impaired. Overexposure to loud sounds can damage the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Sometimes the damage is temporary, and sometimes it is permanent.
Some individuals are much more susceptible to noise damage than others.
One of the major aims of our current research is to understand the basis for these differences. Ultimately, we hope that strategies can be developed for identifying those most at risk as well as for minimizing the permanent effects of noise exposure. Heat shock and protection from permanent acoustic injury. Role of alpha-9 nicotinic Ach receptor subunits in the development and function of cochlear efferent innervation. Enhancement of auditory nerve response to masked tones.