Tinnitus & Zebrafish

The American Tinnitus Association describes tinnitus as "the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source is present." It is often described as a ringing or whooshing sound. For their similar method of hearing to humans, zebrafish have been test subjects to find a cure of tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

• Use of ear plugs is effective in preventing the development of tinnitus.

  Tinnitus is a symptom that can come from many things such as exposure to loud noise, aging or certain medications. These things can cause damage to the small hairs (known as cilia) in the ear that enable hearing. In humans, these hairs cannot regenerate after they are damaged or destroyed.

Zebrafish

• Cilia in the ear vibrate and pass signals, enabling us to hear.

  Dr. Ernest Moore, a research professor and audiologist from Northwestern University, began experiencing tinnitus after being exposed to loud explosions while serving in the U.S. Military. Since then he has been researching a cure. He began working with zebrafish, that have ears that function very similarly to humans'.

Findings

• More research is needed before doctors can prescribe these medications.

  Zebrafish hear using small hairs just as humans do. While he can't be sure that the zebrafish experience the ringing sound, Dr. Moore has been able to increase the electrical firing of the cilia. This increase is an early sign of damage that can lead to tinnitus. Dr. Moore then administers a drug and observes its effect on the cilia's activity level. His research indicates that certain drugs do slow down the electrical firing of the cells. The hope is that these medications can be developed to use with humans to prevent further damage to cilia.