0 Items
Home » Informations
Hearing and Touch: Common Genetic Basis?Published: Sunday June 17, 2012, 14:29Our understanding of the world is dependent upon our ability to perceive our environment. Our senses are the tools we used to process stimuli we are exposed to.
Much is known about the genetic and neurological underpinnings of vision and hearing. Recent studies reveal that mutations to over 70 genes can lead to different degrees of hearing impairments. Moreover, lesions in some occipital and frontal regions of the neocortex can lead to visual deficits. Despite its role on everyday functioning less is known about the presentation and the origin of tactile impairments, or deficits in our sense of touch.
Much research is therefore being conducted to elucidate the mechanisms that may predispose some individuals to conditions involving touch. Similitudes between the mechanisms involved in the processing of sound and the processing of textures have been found. Auditory information enters the ear in sound waves that are transformed into electrical signals by cells in the inner ear. Likewise, when a part of our body comes into contact with an object vibrations are produced. Sensory cells in the skin receive these vibrations and produce electrochemical responses that are then sent to the central and peripheral nervous systems. These similitudes have prompted researchers to assess tactile acuity in individuals suffering from hearing impairments.
Researchers in Germany hypothesized that similarities in the processing of hearing and touch are phenotypic manifestations of some of the same genes. Hence, mutations to genes involved in the sense of hearing will affect touch. They conducted a series of experiments to test their beliefs. In the first study, the tactile acuity of 100 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins was assessed. Results from that study revealed a correlation between hearing and tactile acuity. In addition, genetic variation explained more than 50% of tactile abilities amongst these siblings. Hence, even when hereditary components are accounted for, some relationship exists between hearing and touching.
In an additional study, the researchers assessed the tactile abilities of 39 subjects who had congenital hearing deficits. Results revealed that although some subjects did experience tactile difficulties, some of them did not. These results are concurrent with previous findings that point to genes involved in hearing as potential candidates involved in tactile abilities.
In another study, the same team of researchers evaluated volunteers from Spain and Germany who were diagnosed with Usher syndrome. This syndrome is well studied and genetic mutations associated to its presentation have been identified. Symptoms of this disorder include varying levels of hearing impairment accompanied by progressive blindness. Data from this study showed that only those individuals with mutations to gene USH2A displayed compromised sense of touch in addition to the visual and hearing deficits typical of the syndrome. These findings also supported the team’s initial hypothesis and have propelled additional research in this area.
Much is known about the genetic and neurological underpinnings of vision and hearing. Recent studies reveal that mutations to over 70 genes can lead to different degrees of hearing impairments. Moreover, lesions in some occipital and frontal regions of the neocortex can lead to visual deficits. Despite its role on everyday functioning less is known about the presentation and the origin of tactile impairments, or deficits in our sense of touch.
Much research is therefore being conducted to elucidate the mechanisms that may predispose some individuals to conditions involving touch. Similitudes between the mechanisms involved in the processing of sound and the processing of textures have been found. Auditory information enters the ear in sound waves that are transformed into electrical signals by cells in the inner ear. Likewise, when a part of our body comes into contact with an object vibrations are produced. Sensory cells in the skin receive these vibrations and produce electrochemical responses that are then sent to the central and peripheral nervous systems. These similitudes have prompted researchers to assess tactile acuity in individuals suffering from hearing impairments.
Researchers in Germany hypothesized that similarities in the processing of hearing and touch are phenotypic manifestations of some of the same genes. Hence, mutations to genes involved in the sense of hearing will affect touch. They conducted a series of experiments to test their beliefs. In the first study, the tactile acuity of 100 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins was assessed. Results from that study revealed a correlation between hearing and tactile acuity. In addition, genetic variation explained more than 50% of tactile abilities amongst these siblings. Hence, even when hereditary components are accounted for, some relationship exists between hearing and touching.
In an additional study, the researchers assessed the tactile abilities of 39 subjects who had congenital hearing deficits. Results revealed that although some subjects did experience tactile difficulties, some of them did not. These results are concurrent with previous findings that point to genes involved in hearing as potential candidates involved in tactile abilities.
In another study, the same team of researchers evaluated volunteers from Spain and Germany who were diagnosed with Usher syndrome. This syndrome is well studied and genetic mutations associated to its presentation have been identified. Symptoms of this disorder include varying levels of hearing impairment accompanied by progressive blindness. Data from this study showed that only those individuals with mutations to gene USH2A displayed compromised sense of touch in addition to the visual and hearing deficits typical of the syndrome. These findings also supported the team’s initial hypothesis and have propelled additional research in this area.
Categories
Filter
Price Range
Current Offers
Testimonials
"Product worked as advertised. Excellent service and support"Harry M., January 29, 2012
"What a great experience -- no hassle at all. Super fast service and the hearing aids work perfectly. I could not be more pleased with the whole experience."Gerard M., January 22, 2012
read more
Search
Featured Product
Unitron QUANTUM 6
Price: $1,295.00
New Article
HIV Exposure Before Birth May Raise Kids' Risk of Hearing Loss
A recent study has linked HIV exposure while in the womb to an increased likelihood of developing hearing loss. ...read more
A recent study has linked HIV exposure while in the womb to an increased likelihood of developing hearing loss. ...read more
Accept
