A stress-response system in the ear protects against hearing loss
Monday, May 3, 2010 - 10:01
in Biology & Nature
An in vivo study shows for the first time that there is a stress-response system within the cochlea that mirrors the signaling pathways of the body's fight or flight response. Researchers have identified a hormone-like signaling system of the inner ear that sets baseline hearing sensitivity and helps protect against noise-induced hearing loss.