Description
More than 17 million Americans are living with significant deafness from loss of sensory hair cells, the hearing receptors in the ears. Scientists had thought these hair cells could not be replaced. But recent research on sharks and birds has given them reason to believe otherwise. Sharks are constantly adding hair cells throughout their lives. And birds regenerate hair cells, allowing them to recover from deafness and balance disorders. Neuroscientist Jeff Corwin (University of Virginia) discusses efforts to promote the regenerative process in human ears. Also featured: John Casali, head of the Auditory Systems Laboratory at Virginia Tech, offers a peek at special warning signals in development for truckers and at noise-canceling headsets developed for tank drivers.
