Research currently being conducted in the Auditory Research Lab is concerned primarily with issues involving plasticity (the ability to accomodate change) in the auditory system. We are especially concerned with plasticity as it impacts the system's responds to cochlear injury and hair cell regeneration. Over the past 10 years we have specifically been studying the functional and anatomical consequences of regeneration of auditory hair cells during development and after trauma. Understanding the impact of hair cell regeneration on central auditory connections and on hearing in birds has substantial reference to enhancing our knowledge of human hearing. by understanding the consequences (both antatomical and functional) of sensory cell replacement in birds we can better predict the structural and functional consequences of deafness and auditory restoration (either electronic - cochlear implants, or biochemical - human hair cell replacement) in humans.