Exploring the inner life of the ear
Centre for Auditory Research, University College London
Jonathan Ashmore and his team are fascinated by hearing and how our ears work. Their particular interest is in the hairs of the snail-like organ of the inner ear which scientists call the cochlea.
The ear's natural amplifiers
The cochlea translate sound energy into nerve signals to the brain. It also helps to separate out the different frequencies in complex sounds.
The research group has focussed a lot of attention on the outer hair cells of the cochlea. These are the cells which selectively amplify the sound entering our ears.
New technologies
The team at University College have developed a new way to study the ear by recording the wave energy that leaks out of the cochlea as it amplifies sound. This technique helps to show how well the cochlea is working even with young babies that cannot react to traditional tests.
Genes and hearing
The team is also interested in understanding genetic causes of deafness. Genes are responsible for some forms of deafness in babies and in adults.
Submitted by: Image by M Lavigne-Rebillard", from "Promenade around the cochlea, 24 January 2007
