The Biology of Lungfishes presents an up-to-date collection of reviews on some of the most important aspects of the life of lungfishes. The book draws on contributions from well-known experts with a long record of scientific work within their respective fields. The general natural history of the three genera of lungfishes, the fascinating fossil st

Rotational Vestibular Assessment represents a primary clinical core for audiologists and expands the vestibular assessment battery through a comprehensive discussion of rotational vestibular testing. This text details the various tests that can be performed though rotational assessment, including the benefits and limitations of each. Test interpretation and clinical application of rotational outcome measures data is also discussed. Rotational testing currently enjoys a unique presence in vestibular assessment as it offers an analysis of the vestibular system that is unparalleled in its ability to evaluate both peripheral and central aspects of vestibular disease, particularly when standard measures such as videonystagmography (VNG) are non-contributory. The future of rotational testing is promising as more affordable methods become available such as the use of booth-less rotational chairs and more affordable video ocular recording methods. In light of this, rotational testing is poised to become the new standard of vestibular assessment and this timely text is dedicated to its understanding. The material is supplemented with a PluralPlus companion website that provides a selection of videos showing the various rotational tests, including the rotational stimuli and the VOR response generated during each test. Rotational Vestibular Assessmentis invaluable for anyone performing vestibular testing, rehabilitation, or evaluation. This includes audiologists, otologists, neurotologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and students seeking these professions.

This volume provides a detailed update on progress in the field of hair cell regeneration. This topic is of considerable interest to academicians, clinicians, and commercial entities, including students of auditory and vestibular neuroscience, audiologists, otologists, and industry, all of whom may have interest in hair cell regeneration as a potential future therapy for hearing and balance dysfunction. In 2008, Springer published a SHAR volume on this subject (Hair Cell Regeneration, Repair, and Protection, Editors Richard Salvi and Richard Fay). Since that time, there has been considerable advancement in this field.This book provides a historical perspective on the field, but the emphasis is on more "prospective" views of the various facets of regeneration research, in the hope that the volume will stimulate new projects and approaches, focusing on the limitations of current knowledge and describing promising strategies for future work. The book will include the following key features of hair cell regeneration: • Cellular and molecular control hair cell regeneration in non-mammalian species (in particular zebrafish and chickens) • Our current understanding of the capacity for hair cell replacement in mammals (rodents and humans). • Signals controlling pro-regenerative behaviors in supporting cells, the hair cell progenitors. • New techniques that have been applied to study the genetic and epigenetic regulation of hair cell regeneration in mammals and non-mammals. • Contributions of stem cells toward building new tools to explore how hair cell regeneration is controlled and toward developing cells and tissue for therapeutic transplantation. • Studies that have applied gene and drug therapy to promote regeneration in mammals.

The membranous labyrinth lies enclosed in the very hard petrous part of the temporal bone and, as the name implies, its structure is extremely complex. This may explain why our knowledge of this organ and the vestibular sensory regions within it, is not yet satisfactory. In recent years the rapid development of space research has provided a power ful stimulus to our interest in the vestibular apparatus. This has found expression in annual symposia, in which the role of the vestibular organs in the exploration of space is discussed. However, little is known as yet about the influence upon the equilibrial apparatus, during space flight, of weightlessness and other related conditions. The inner ear has also acquired increased significance from an otosurgical point of view. Operations are today performed in regions previously inaccessible to surgery. This requires exact knowledge of anatomical details and of relations between the different structures in the inner ear.

The auditory perception of sounds (environmental, vocal or music) is one of the 5 principal senses consciously monitored by our brains, and is crucial for many human endeavors as well as quality of life. Loss of optimal performance in this principal sensory system leads to loss of effective communication and intimacy, as well as increased risk of isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and greater vulnerability to predators. The vestibular system ensures that individuals remain upright and effectively monitor their posture within their spatial surroundings, move effectively, and remain focused on visual targets during motion. The loss of vestibular sensitivity results in postural instability, falls, inability to observe the environment during motion, and a debilitating incapacity to function effectively. The sensory cells for both auditory and vestibular systems are located within the inner ear of the temporal bulla. There are many causes of auditory and vestibular deficits, including congenital (or genetic) events, trauma, aging and loud sound exposures. Ototoxicity refers to damage of the auditory or vestibular structures or functions, as the result of exposure to certain pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and/or ionizing radiation exposure that damage the inner ear. Ototoxicity is a major contributor to acquired hearing loss and vestibular deficits, and is entirely preventable. In 2009, the United States Department of Defense initiated the Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, in response to the prevalence of acquired auditory and vestibular deficits in military and veteran populations. The knowledge shared in this eBook supports the HCE’s mandate to improve aural protection of military and civilian populations worldwide. The last few years have seen significant advances in understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying ototoxic drug-induced hearing loss and vestibular deficits. In this eBook, we present some of these advances and highlight gaps where further research is needed. Selected articles discuss candidate otoprotective agents that can ameliorate the effects of ototoxicity in the context of how they illustrate cellular mechanisms of ototoxicity. Our goal in illustrating these advances in mechanisms of ototoxicity is to accelerate the development of clinical therapies that prevent or reverse this debilitating disorder.