NBB Seminar Series

Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 at 2:30pm

The seminar will be In-Person.

Wei Dong, PhD

Department of Otolarygology – Head and Neck Surgery, UCI Health

Visualization of ear function using optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Abstract:

Observations of sound-induced vibrations (or potentials) along the auditory pathway form the foundation for our understanding of the mechanics of hearing, leading to a predominant view of middle ear function, cochlear mechanics, and the generation of otoacoustic emissions in normal and impaired ears. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows us to observe both anatomy and function of the middle ear and cochlea under almost natural conditions. This presentation will discuss how those new observations advance our understanding of middle ear and cochlear functions and contribute to the improvement of clinical diagnoses and treatments. 

Bio:

Dr. Wei Dong started her study of hearing physiology working on the characterization of low-frequency cochlear mechanics in the guinea pig. She continued to work on cochlear mechanics as a post-doc, and observations of intracochlear fluid pressure sparked a long-standing interest in middle ear function, cochlear mechanics, and the generation of otoacoustic emissions. Her primary research interest is signal processing in the mammalian ear both in the forward and reverse directions. Wei Dong received her Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Bristol, UK, and obtained her post-doc training at Columbia University. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at UCI Health.