Results from rodent models suggest that noise exposure or aging can cause a dramatic loss of connections between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers. This disorder has been called cochlear synaptopathy or “hidden hearing loss” because it is not thought to be detectable using pure tone audiometry. The evidence for cochlear synaptopathy in humans due to noise exposure is mixed. However, there is emerging histological and electrophysiological evidence that aging is associated with substantial synaptopathy in humans.
This webinar provides an overview of our current understanding of cochlear synaptopathy in humans. There is also discussion on which measures of synaptopathy might provide the basis for a diagnostic test.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the rodent model of cochlear synaptopathy.
- Understand the results of the recent studies of synaptopathy in humans, including the effects of noise exposure and aging.
- Understand the potential and challenges for the clinical diagnosis of synaptopathy.
This session pertains to
- Adult (18-64)
- Seniors (64+)
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