20Q: Cochlear Synaptopathy - Interrupting Communication from Ear to Brain
Course: #29821Level: Advanced 2 Hours 1625 Reviews
New insights from animal studies of noise-induced and age-related hearing loss suggest that the most vulnerable elements in the inner ear are the synaptic connections between the sensory inner hair cells (IHCs) and the afferent neurons that communicate the information they receive to higher centers. When less than total, IHC synapse loss does not elevate thresholds. This means that it can be widespread in ears with intact hair cell populations and normal audiograms, where it has been called “hidden hearing loss”. Cochlear synapse loss is a likely contributor to difficulties understanding speech in a noisy environment and may be an instigating factor in the generation of tinnitus and hyperacusis, even when thresholds are normal. Beyond noise and aging, cochlear synaptopathy may be widespread in acquired sensorineural hearing loss of other etiologies and degrees of hair cell damage and loss. Normal thresholds or not, this loss of IHC – neural communication is expected to have significant perceptual consequences.
View this Course on Demand
Click Register to watch the full course.
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, learners will be able to explain the function of normal cochlear synapses, define synaptopathy and list some of its causes.
- After this course, learners will be able to discuss synaptopathy in relation to: hair cell loss; DPOAEs; and audiometric thresholds.
- After this course, learners will be able to describe what is meant by the term hidden hearing loss.
- After this course, learners will be able to discuss synaptopathy research in humans as compared to animal models, including challenges and limitations in translating findings to clinical procedures, as well as future directions.
Course created on August 14, 2017
Reviews
1625 ReviewsPresented By
Sharon G. Kujawa
PhD
Sharon G. Kujawa, PhD is an Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. She is the Director of Audiology Research and a Senior Scientist in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA. She serves on the faculty of the Program in Speech and Hearing Biosciences and Technology at Harvard University. Work in Kujawa laboratory seeks to clarify how cochlear structures and functions are altered in common forms of acquired sensorineural hearing loss (e.g., by exposure to noise and ototoxic drugs, and by aging), and how vulnerability is shaped by genetic background, efferent activity and exposure history. A focus of much current work is on the cochlear neurodegenerative consequences of noise and aging: determining the functional deficits that arise because of that loss, and how the degeneration can be manipulated pharmacologically to reveal mechanisms and suggest treatments.
More
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
To ensure you are ready to participate, please complete our short Test Drive to prepare your computer to view the course.
NOTE: Full attendance for all courses is mandatory. Please view the entire course.
Passing an online exam and completing a course evaluation will be required to earn continuing education credit.
Live Webinars allow presenter and participant interaction. The exam and course evaluation for these courses must be completed within 7 days of the event.
On-demand courses include texts, video and audio recordings of live webinars, and multimedia formats. The exam and course evaluation for on-demand courses must be completed within 30 days of course registration.
To participate in the course, complete the exam and course evaluation, and earn continuing education credit, you must be a AudiologyOnline member. Participants must complete the entire course; partial credit is not allowed.
AudiologyOnline is committed to ensuring accessibility to the widest possible audience. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone. If you have questions, requests, or would like to report an accessibility-related issue, please email accessibility@continued.com. We will review your request and respond in a timely manner.
Visit our Contact us page or give us a call if you have questions.
American Academy of Audiology
AudiologyOnline is approved by the American Academy of Audiology to offer Academy CEUs for this activity. The program is worth a maximum of 0.2 AAA CEUs. Academy approval of this continuing education activity is based on course content only and does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedure, or adherence of the event to the Academy's Code of Ethics. Any views that are presented are those of the presenter/CE Provider and not necessarily of the American Academy of Audiology.
Australian College of Audiology
AudiologyOnline courses are approved for Continuing Education Points by the Australian College of Audiology. Automatic ACAud Approval Number 20000. This course is offered for 2 CEP.
Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario
The Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario (AHIP) represents and guide its members in their practice which include, the testing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and associated devices in the best interest of the hard of hearing of Ontario. Audiology Online is an approved provider of approved educational activities for AHIP Members. One hour of coursework equals 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU).
British Academy of Audiology
This course has been accredited with 2 CPD point/s by the British Academy of Audiology.
Canadian Academy of Audiology
The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) supports and assists its members in the attainment of continuing education towards an individual professional development plan as required by their Provincial Regulatory Colleges and Provincial Associations. Audiology Online is an approved provider of educational activities for CAA members. Each hour of activity may be counted as one Continuous Learning Activity Credit (or equivalent) as allowed by the applicable regulatory college or association.
California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board
AudiologyOnline.com is approved by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board as a Continuing Professional Development Provider, approval number PDP 267. This course may meet the requirements for 2 hours of continuing education credit for audiologists as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. The responsibility for determining whether or not this specific course counts toward an individual's requirements for license renewal is up to the individual. Please refer to the CA state board rules regarding allowable topics and self-study limits: http://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/licensees/ce_req.shtml
International Association for Continuing Education and Training
continued, LLC, DBA AudiologyOnline, is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). continued complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, continued is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. continued, LLC, is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEUs for this program.
International Hearing Society
This program is approved by the International Hearing Society and its educational committee, the International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies. To learn more about earning IHS CE Credit, click here.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Approved for 2 continuing education clock hours for Kansas licensed Audiologists by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Long-Term Sponsorship number LTS-S0035.
New Zealand Audiological Society
This course is offered for 2.0 Continuing Education points through the New Zealand Audiological Society.
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
Clinically certified members of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) can accumulate continuing education equivalents (CEEs) for their participation with AudiologyOnline. One hour of coursework equals 1 CEE. All SAC members are encouraged to participate in on-going education.