Challenges and opportunities in bridging behavior, physiology, and anatomy in translational hearing research

The Acoustical Society of America has a long, rich history of physiology research aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying hearing and hearing dysfunction. In particular, this research has included pivotal studies in animal models that reveal the neurobiology of hearing and hearing disorders. More recently, research in animal models and research in human subjects have been considered in completely separate conferences or sessions. This situation presents a barrier to communicating important scientific information and fostering collaborations that bridge the gap between research in animal models and human listeners. It is crucial that the two types of research interface and inform one another to maximize translational potential and converge on fundamental knowledge. Experimental manipulations can be performed in non-human animals that cannot be performed in humans, but human and non-human animals can also be tested using similar techniques to increase translatability. Examples of mouse models tested using detailed analysis of synapse-level changes, clinically relevant evoked potentials, and behavioral tests will be presented. Areas for mutually beneficial interdisciplinary investigation will be discussed with the intention of inspiring new lines of communication between researchers focused on non-human animal and human subjects research.