The Eighth Chinese Hearing Research Conference was held in Southwest China’s Chongqing on Nov 6.

Hosted by the Hearing, Speech and Communication Studies Academic Subgroup of the Biophysical Society of China and the Basic Research Expert Committee of the Audiology Development Foundation of China, and organized by Chongqing General Hospital, the conference attracted officials from the Chongqing government as well as top experts and scholars in auditory research.

They discussed hot and cutting-edge issues in auditory studies, such as the occurrence and prevention of hearing loss, the development and regeneration of hair cells, auditory transduction mechanisms, and central auditory regulation mechanisms.

The meeting was presided over by professor Yuan Wei, director of the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Chongqing General Hospital, who also served as chairman of the conference.

The Eighth Chinese Hearing Research Conference is held on Nov 6 in Southwest China’s Chongqing. [Photo/bsc.org.cn]

Academic reports released at the conference included “Gene Therapy and the Clinical Transformation of Hereditary Hearing Loss”, “Zwicker Tone: A Human Tinnitus Model”, “In Vivo CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DNA Chop Identifies a Cochlear Outer Hair Cell-specific Enhancer”， “Research Progress of Adhesion Receptors and Their Potential Functions in Hearing”, and “The Mechanism of Autophagy in Hair Cell Apoptosis and Aging”.

Experts and scholars also delivered speeches entitled “Research on the Auditory Phenotypes and Pathogenic Mechanisms of p.V37I Mutations in the GJB2 Gene”, “Prevention and Treatment of GJB2-related Sensorineural Hearing Loss”, “Transient Hearing Abnormalities Precede Social Deficits in Shank3 KO Autistic Mice”, and “Research on the Role Macrophages Play in Noise-induced Cochlear Ribbon Synaptic Trauma”.

Experts explained in their reports the latest research progress and disciplinary development in auditory research .

Chairman Yuan said the conference was recognized by industry insiders and had a positive impact on the development of the academic field. He said the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Chongqing General Hospital will take this opportunity to gather insights and academic resources, encourage innovation, and work with its peers to contribute to China's auditory research.