Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Hearing disorders and deafness. 

Estimated to affect millions of people globally, hearing disorders and deafness can range from congenital impairments to acquired conditions due to age, trauma, and/or environmental factors, and their impact upon communication, social interaction, and quality of life can be profound. The complexity of hearing disorders and deafness arises from their diverse etiology, including genetic mutations, noise exposure, infections, and age-related degeneration of auditory structures. While advancements in diagnostic techniques, genetic research, and therapeutic strategies have improved patient outcomes, significant challenges remain in the provision of effective treatments and fostering inclusive environments for those with hearing disorders and deafness.

This will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 31st December 2025.

Why is this Collection important?

"Hearing disorders and deafness remain among the most challenging global health issues, affecting communication, cognition, and quality of life across all ages. This Collection brings together cutting-edge research spanning molecular mechanisms, diagnostic innovations, and AI-driven rehabilitation technologies. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, neuroscientists, and engineers, it aims to accelerate the translation of discoveries into real-world hearing solutions. I am particularly excited about the potential for integrating digital health and machine learning to redefine hearing care. Researchers should contribute to this Collection to shape the future landscape of auditory science and improve outcomes for patients worldwide."

- Dr. Tae Hoon Kong, Guest Editor

"Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions, yet it remains under-recognised as a major public health concern. The burden is immense worldwide. This Collection brings together work that advances understanding of hearing loss across biological, behavioural, technological, and societal dimensions. By integrating perspectives from epidemiology, clinical science, acoustics, and engineering, it highlights how evidence can inform prevention, intervention, and equitable access to hearing care. Addressing it as a population-level challenge is essential to improving quality of life and reducing health inequities."

- Dr. Yvonne Tran, Guest Editor

"The collection on ‘Hearing disorders and deafness’ brings together a highly diverse set of research that will significantly advance our understanding of hearing disorders, while promoting global collaboration in this critical area of biology and healthcare."

- Dr. Barbara Vona, Guest Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• Andrea Ciorba, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
• Tae Hoon Kong, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, South Korea
• Yvonne Tran, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
• Barbara Vona, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Shelby Bollen, Scientific Reports, UK
• Commissioning Editor: Sophie Gray, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Libby Symons, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.