Both neonatal sound deprivation and neonatal conductive hearing losses result in smaller than normal brainstem auditory neurons in experimental mice. The proposed morphological experiments will use experimental mice to determine: 1) If neonatal sound amplification can maintain normal development of brainstem auditory neurons; 2) if forebrain auditory neurons in the thalamus and cerebral cortex are adversely affected by neonatal sound deprivation; 3) If cochlear function or structure are adversely affected by either neonatal auditory deprivation or conductive losses; 4) if the patterned organization of brainstem auditory neurons is affected by neonatal conductive losses; and 5) if the postnatal age of cochlear loss determines the type and degree of dystrophy in the cochlear nuclei. The results of these studies will demonstrate, at the anatomical level, the central effects of early hearing impairments. They will, therefore, be of considerable help in determining the appropriate medical and therapeutic care of infants with hearing impairments.
| Anniko, M; Sjostrom, B; Webster, D (1989) The effects of auditory deprivation on morphological maturation of the ventral cochlear nucleus. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 246:43-7 |
| Webster, D B (1988) Conductive hearing loss affects the growth of the cochlear nuclei over an extended period of time. Hear Res 32:185-92 |
| Webster, D B (1988) Sound amplification negates central effects of a neonatal conductive hearing loss. Hear Res 32:193-5 |
| Hood, L J; Webster, D B (1988) Reversible conductive hearing loss in mice. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 97:281-5 |
| Webster, D B; Sobin, A; Anniko, M (1986) Incomplete maturation of brainstem auditory nuclei in genetically induced early postnatal cochlear degeneration. Acta Otolaryngol 101:429-38 |
| Webster, D B; Packer, D J; Webster, M (1985) Functional anatomy of the external and middle ear. Ear Nose Throat J 64:275-81 |
| Webster, D B (1985) The spiral ganglion and cochlear nuclei of deafness mice. Hear Res 18:19-27 |
