Scientist Profile Directory

Hearing loss affects more than 1.5 billion individuals worldwide, with approximately 430 million people experiencing moderate or severe hearing loss. The global costs related to unaddressed hearing loss, as a result of a lack of access to treatments or hearing aid resources, exceed $980 billion annually. Unfortunately, these numbers are steadily increasing, and the World Health Organization estimates that one in four individuals will experience difficulties hearing by 2050. As it has been estimated that 30-70% of the variability in polygenic hearing traits can be attributed to genetics, Dr. Drögemöller’s lab is focusing on understanding the genetic factors underlying these hearing loss phenotypes. Using genomic and computational analyses, they have discovered critical differences in the genetics underlying distinct hearing loss phenotypes. Building on these findings, her lab is investigating the specific functions of hearing loss genes at the single-cell level. Using state-of-the-art multi-omic and spatial single-cell analyses, she aims to uncover the cellular origins of distinct hearing loss phenotypes, providing unprecedented insights into the heterogeneity underlying hearing loss. These novel data will guide the improved prediction, prevention, and treatment of hearing loss.