Cochlear implants (CIs) enable hearing by direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. However, poor frequency and intensity resolution limits the quality of hearing with CIs. Here we describe optogenetic stimulation of the auditory nerve in mice as an alternative strategy for auditory research and developing future CIs.
Hernandez, V. H., Gehrt, A., Jing, Z., Hoch, G., Jeschke, M., Strenzke, N., Moser, T. Optogenetic Stimulation of the Auditory Nerve. J. Vis. Exp. (92), e52069, doi:10.3791/52069 (2014).