jerry submitted, created time 7 months 3 weeks (www.neuron.org)

Achieving the exquisite sensitivity and frequency selectivity of the mammalian ear requires active amplification of input sound.

This article demonstrates that the molecular motor prestin, which drives shape changes in the soma of mechanosensory hair cells, underlies mechanical feedback mechanisms for sound amplification in mammals.

1 comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: cochlea cochlear implants deafness hearing ear sensory perception Prestin Cochlear Amplifier

Eric wu submitted, created time 1 year 1 month (www.reuters.com)

Ever wondered how we are able to conduct a conversation at a noisy party? Researchers from Japan, Canada and Germany have found that it is our left brain that picks out the desired sounds from a cacophony of loud, competing sounds.

1 comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: sensory perception noise hearing brain auditory