Mechanisms of Auditory Development, Maintenance, Damage, and Protection – Volume II

Building on the great success of the Research Topic "Mechanisms of Auditory Development, Maintenance, Damage, and Protection" the launch of this second volume aims at updating the readers on recent developments in the field of auditory development, maintenance, damage, and protection.As our environment becomes increasingly noisy and the prevalence of hearing-related disorders continues to rise, research on the auditory system has become all the more pressing. Auditory perception is fundamental to human experience, and this topic holds significant importance in contemporary research. Recent breakthroughs in auditory science have propelled our understanding forward, yet various challenges and limitations persist. For example, research on the regeneration of auditory hair cells has not yet overcome technical barriers. Factors such as noise-induced hearing loss, age-related hearing decline, and the need for effective protection strategies underscore the urgency of further exploration of the complexities of auditory functioning and protection.In this Research Topic, we aim to encourage discussions and uncover new findings relating to five main goals:• To explore the remarkable adaptability and plasticity of the auditory system in response to sensory experiences and environmental changes.• To investigate the various factors contributing to auditory damage, resulting from noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and genetic predisposition. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms will provide insights into interventions and preventive strategies.• To showcase cutting-edge research on protective measures against auditory damage, encompassing pharmacological interventions, the use of hearing aids, and emerging genetic therapies aimed at preserving and restoring auditory function.• To expand the frontier of gene therapy applications in auditory diseases, including both inherited and acquired forms of auditory dysfunction.• To establish a fundamental database of gene transcription and translation regulation in the developing auditory system, as well as under pathological conditions.Topics of interest include but are not limited to:• Neurobiology of Auditory Development: Related signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms in the auditory neural development process and molecular mechanisms governing the maturation of the auditory system.• Auditory Plasticity Across the Lifespan: The molecular mechanism of activity-dependent plasticity in the auditory center which has the investigation into how the auditory system adapts and evolves throughout an individual's life.• Protective Strategies Against Noise/Drug-Induced Damage: Different cell death modes and molecular mechanisms of noise/drug-induced damage. • Genetic and Molecular Therapies for Auditory Restoration: Exploration of the potential of genetic interventions in restoring hearing.• Database of the auditory system: Use next‑generation sequencing methods at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels to uncover key signaling changes underlying the development of the auditory system and to clarify the pathological mechanisms of auditory functional disorders. Topic editors: Ruosha Lai, Lihua Li, Su-Hua Sha, Fan Wu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77879/mechanisms-of-auditory-development-maintenance-damage-and-protection---volume-ii