Congenital hearing loss (hearing loss that is present at birth) is one of the most prevalent
chronic conditions in children. In the majority of developed countries, neonatal hearing …

The kinesin, dynein, and myosin superfamily molecular motors have fundamental roles in
neuronal function, plasticity, morphogenesis, and survival by transporting cargos such as …

Usher syndrome (USH), clinically and genetically heterogeneous, is the leading genetic
cause of combined hearing and vision loss. USH is classified into three types, based on the …

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) negatively impacts quality of life in the elderly population.
The prevalent cause of ARHL is loss of mechanosensitive cochlear hair cells (HCs). The …

Much is known about the mechanotransducer (MT) channels mediating transduction in hair
cells of the vertrbrate inner ear. With the use of isolated preparations, it is experimentally …

Sound pressure fluctuations striking the ear are conveyed to the cochlea, where they vibrate
the basilar membrane on which sit hair cells, the mechanoreceptors of the inner ear …

Mechanotransduction, the transformation of mechanical force into an electrical signal, allows
living organisms to hear, register movement and gravity, detect touch, and sense changes in …

Cells use the actin cytoskeleton for many of their functions, including their division,
adhesion, mechanosensing, endo-and phagocytosis, migration, and invasion. Actin bundles …

Hearing impairment is the most frequent sensory deficit in humans of all age groups, from
children (1/500) to the elderly (more than 50% of the over-75 s). Over 50% of congenital …

Cochlear hair cells respond with phenomenal speed and sensitivity to sound vibrations that
cause submicron deflections of their hair bundle. Outer hair cells are not only detectors, but …