Hearing Loss: Mechanisms, Prevention and Cure

This book systematically discusses the pathogenesis, prevention, and the current and potential clinical treatment of hearing loss, as well as the latest advances in hearing research. Hearing loss is a prevalent sensory disorder, which according to a 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) report affected 9% of the global population in 2015. As populations continue to age, more and more people are suffering from the condition, with 60% of those aged between 65 and 75 affected. Hearing loss seriously affects patients' ability to work ability and quality of life, and as such deafness has become an increasingly urgent social problem around the globe. Sensorineural hearing loss is mainly caused by damage to the hair cells (HCs), and the subsequent loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Damage to the HCs in the inner ear can result from exposure to loud noises and environmental and chemical toxins as well as genetic disorders, aging, and certain medications. This book provides ENT specialists and researchers, as well as individuals affected a comprehensive introduction to the field of hearing loss.


Dr. Huawei Li, M.D. is a Professor, Chief Physician and doctoral and post doctoral mentor, and was appointed Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Affiliated Eye and ENT Hospital in 2016. His other appointments include Vice-chairman of NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, President of the Shanghai Otolaryngology Doctors' Association, Vice-president of Shanghai Medical Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgey, member of the Chinese Medical Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He is also Chief Scientist of 973 National Project of China and of the National Key R&D Program of China, Specially-appointed Professor in the Yangtze River Scholar Program, Laureate of National Outstanding Youth Science Fund, Shanghai Excellent Discipline Leaders, Visiting Professor of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. He has also received an honorary title for his outstanding contribution to NHC. His research focuses on otomicrosurgery, stem cell transcriptional regulation, and hair cell regeneration. He has published more than 100 papers, including in Nature Medicine and PNAS.
Dr. Renjie Chai, Ph.D., is a Professor and Assistant Dean of the Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University. His other appointments include Vice-president of the Association of Hearing, Speech and Communication in Biophysical Society of China, executive board member of the International Association of Physicians in Audiology. He is the winner of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Youth Fund and of the 1000 Young Talents Recruitment Plan of China, and has been awarded more than 20 grants including the National Key R&D Program of China, the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Science, and a Faculty Research Award from Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis. His research focuses on the regeneration and protection of inner ear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. He has published more than 70 papers, including in Advanced Materials, Nature Communications, and PNAS.