The Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of hearing loss due to aging and noise trauma. 

Hearing loss has become more prevalent than ever with the steady increase of life expectancy, which leads to the increase in age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), and over-exposure to sound from sources like personal electronic devices (leads to noise-induced hearing loss). We use various strains of mice as the animal model to mimic different pathological conditions of hearing loss in humans. The investigation mostly focuses on the cochlear nucleus, the first brain site of the central auditory system that processes information from the ear. We are also interested in the pathology of the ear and consequently expanded our research to the cochlea. 

We conduct our study at molecular, cellular, circuit and system levels utilizing multidisciplinary techniques including electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, optogenetics and behavioral assays. 

Our objectives

We aim to understand how the auditory nervous system processes sound information and how such neural processing is disrupted under aging and noise trauma conditions, and to explore strategies that postpone or reverse the hearing loss process and ultimately restore hearing. 

Our team

Xie_Ruili_460x460

Ruili Xie, PhD

Lab Director

Our publications

Current clinical trials, research studies and support

Contact us to learn more about our lab or make a referral

Email: Ruili.Xie@osumc.edu
Phone: 614-293-7271