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What happens in the ear in hearing impairment caused by harmful noise? According to a study from LiU, a signal from the cochlea probably gives the brain information on whether the ear is functioning normally or not.

Researchers have made several discoveries on the functioning mechanisms of the inner hair cells of the ear, which convert sounds into nerve signals. The results challenge the current picture of the hearing organ, which has prevailed for decades.

When we listen to loud sounds, our hearing may be impaired for a short time. Researchers at LiU have discovered a mechanism that helps to explain how this happens.

The way in which we experience music and speech differs from what has until now been believed. The new findings have been published in Science Advances, and may make it possible to design better cochlear implants.