Vestibular Deficits in Deafness: Clinical Presentation, Animal Modeling, and Treatment Solutions.

ABSTRACT: The inner ear is responsible for both hearing and balance. These functions are dependent on the correct functioning of mechanosensitive hair cells, which convert sound- and motion-induced stimuli into electrical signals conveyed to the brain. During evolution of the inner ear, the major changes occurred in the hearing organ, whereas the structure of the vestibular organs remained constant in all vertebrates over the same period. Vestibular deficits are highly prevalent in humans, due to multiple intersecting causes: genetics, environmental factors, ototoxic drugs, infections and aging. Studies of deafness genes associated with balance deficits and their corresponding animal models have shed light on the development and function of these two sensory systems. Bilateral vestibular deficits of

SUBMITTER: Maudoux A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9013928 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature