Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Effects of hearing loss on the brain, auditory efferent system, auditory phenotyping

The overall focus of Lauer Lab research is to understand how abnormal auditory input from the ear changes processing in the brain, and how the brain compensates for degraded peripheral input. Our laboratory is part of the David M. Rubenstein Hearing Research Center at Johns Hopkins. We study the consequences of various forms of acquired hearing dysfunction on the auditory brainstem, and the role of auditory efferent systems in hearing and hearing loss. These studies investigate how peripheral and central components of auditory nerve and brainstem synapses change in response to noise and hearing loss, and how efferent processes work to protect against hearing dysfunction and compensate for abnormal hearing conditions. We integrate behavioral, non-invasive physiology, and quantitative anatomical approaches. We collaborate with several e-phys and molecular biology labs to achieve both broad and deep analysis of the dysfunctional auditory system. Current projects focus on structure-function relationships in age and noise-induced hearing loss, olivocochlear efferent degeneration and plasticity across the lifespan, and the role of stress in hyper-reactivity to loud sounds and tinnitus. We also assist other labs with auditory phenotype characterization of mouse models of rare diseases, neurological disorders, and developmental perturbations.

The Lauer Lab takes a hands-on approach to mentoring students, and we take pride in the diversity of our lab. We participate in several programs aimed at increasing representation of women, scientists with hearing loss, and under-represented ethnic minorities in science. At Johns Hopkins, Dr. Lauer serves as co-director of the Structure and Function of the Auditory and Vestibular System course and the Neurobiology of Hearing study abroad course (Salamanca, Spain). She also participates as a recurring faculty member in the Biology of the Inner Ear course held biannually at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA.