This session introduces optogenetic hearing restoration, a novel strategy using light-sensitive proteins (opsins) to enable precise, optical stimulation of auditory neurons. This approach bypasses damaged hair cells to directly activate the auditory nerve with light.

Outcome Objectives Participants will be able to:

1. Explain the basic mechanism of optogenetic stimulation in the cochlea.

2. Compare the potential benefits of optogenetics over traditional cochlear implants.

3. Identify key challenges for clinical translation.

Background Cochlear implants provide limited spectral resolution. Optogenetics offers a revolutionary approach to potentially restore high-fidelity hearing by enabling more precise, frequency-specific activation of the auditory nerve than is possible with electrical stimulation.

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