Newly discovered hair cells on squid may offer clues to understanding hearing loss in humans

Scientists have known for years that squid have cells with bundles of tiny, hairlike protrusions on their heads and arms, similar to those buried deep inside the human ear that allow us to hear. Now, researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that these animals have hundreds more of these cells, called hair cells, lining the entire surface of their bodies. The discovery may provide researchers with an unprecedented window into how humans use—and lose—their hearing.