Auditory neurons transmit information about sound from hair cells, the auditory sensory cells, to the brain. These neurons are important not only for normal hearing, but also for proper functioning of cochlear implants. However, auditory neurons are susceptible to degeneration after hair cell trauma caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, among other insults. My research aims to elucidate the mechanisms driving auditory neuron degeneration after hair cell loss, with a particular focus on the post-deafening immune response.