May CATalyst CHAT focuses on hearing
U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix Department of Translational Neurosciences Professor Ebenezer Yamoah addresses attendees at the May 15 CATalyst CHAT.
Understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms of hearing loss – including the microscopic hairs inside the ears that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals the brain interprets as sound – is a key part of the research conducted by Ebenezer Yamoah, who was the featured guest at the latest CATalyst CHAT at the U of A Scottsdale Center.
About 25 people attended the May 15 talk, titled “How Hearing Happens.” Yamoah is a professor with the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix Department of Translational Neurosciences. Attendees included alumni and industry leaders, many who have experienced hearing loss or are close to someone who is affected by hearing loss.
Yamoah provided a broad overview of the composition of the inner ear and discussed his research, which seeks to regenerate hair cells of the inner ear to restore hearing. He explained how we are born with a certain number of hair cells, and that we lose them as we age. Since we can’t generate new hair cells, he explores how we can prevent the degeneration of the hair cells as we age. The engaged audience had questions on topics ranging from tinnitus to hearing loss and its correlation with neurodegenerative decline.
Learn more about Yamoah's research at this link.
CATalyst CHATs are the U of A Scottsdale Center’s ongoing series of events showcasing U of A faculty experts and their pivotal research. The May event was the third session this year. After a summer break, the series will resume Sept. 18 with a session on the future of water by Sharon Megdal with the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center. M