Kentucky: Mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear pick up the softest sounds, such as whispers and distant noises. Unlike other cells in the human body, these sensory cells are fragile
and finite. At birth, the human ear contains approximately 15,000 of
these cells. They do not regenerate or divide and, therefore are
susceptible to permanent damage from exposure to loud sounds. Scientists
believe understanding the molecular mechanisms that maintain the
structure of these cells throughout the lifespan can provide insight
into the fundamental causes of hearing loss and deafness.
