The Role of Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Hearing Loss Induced By Sickle Cell Disease

Precious Ekundayo Conteh

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, The Ingenuity Project

Dr. Amanda Lauer (Mentor, Lauer Lab, Johns Hopkins University)

Dr. Nicole Rosen (Teacher, The Ingenuity Project)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are heavily impacted by their disease. Its symptoms include anemia, pain, increased frequency of infection, and much more. Individuals with SCD are more likely to suffer from sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In the field that studies the relationship between SNHL and SCD, individuals have explored many different facets of SNHL including hair cells, cochlear nerves, blood vessels, and more. One facet that lacks this exploration is the impact of SCD on the spiral ganglion neurons in the temporal bone. The temporal bone and its spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) can provide insight into the hearing capacities of most mammals, including humans. Using two-dimensional analysis on the spiral ganglion count of human temporal bones will be taken and compared to normal hearing human controls. This allows for the quantification of the density of SGNs in various sickle cell temporal bone specimens and assess the amount of temporal degeneration. Assessing the amount and type of degeneration, the impact of SCD on SGNs will successfully be determined. This will contribute to future research and improving auditory treatments for individuals with SCD or any auditorily similar diseases.