Logo image
Back
What can insects teach us about hearing loss?
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

What can insects teach us about hearing loss?

Ben Warren and Daniel Eberl
The Journal of physiology, Vol.602(2), pp.297-316
01/2024
DOI: 10.1113/JP281281
PMID: 38128023
url
https://doi.org/10.1113/JP281281View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Over the last three decades, insects have been utilized to provide a deep and fundamental understanding of many human diseases and disorders. Here, we present arguments for insects as models to understand general principles underlying hearing loss. Despite ∼600 million years since the last common ancestor of vertebrates and invertebrates, we share an overwhelming degree of genetic homology particularly with respect to auditory organ development and maintenance. Despite the anatomical differences between human and insect auditory organs, both share physiological principles of operation. We explain why these observations are expected and highlight areas in hearing loss research in which insects can provide insight. We start by briefly introducing the evolutionary journey of auditory organs, the reasons for using insect auditory organs for hearing loss research, and the tools and approaches available in insects. Then, the first half of the review focuses on auditory development and auditory disorders with a genetic cause. The second half analyses the physiological and genetic consequences of ageing and short- and long-term changes as a result of noise exposure. We finish with complex age and noise interactions in auditory systems. In this review, we present some of the evidence and arguments to support the use of insects to study mechanisms and potential treatments for hearing loss in humans. Obviously, insects cannot fully substitute for all aspects of human auditory function and loss of function, although there are many important questions that can be addressed in an animal model for which there are important ethical, practical and experimental advantages.
 auditory evolution auditory development presbycusis age-related hearing loss auditory decline auditory transduction noise-induced hearing loss hearing loss

Details

Metrics

15 Record Views
3 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image