Zebrafish as a Model in Bioacoustics: Investigating Sensory Responses to Noisy Environments

The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has become an important model in hearing research to investigate the mechanisms underlying inner ear development, hair cell regeneration, and ototoxicity of environmental agents. However, limited information is known on its natural soundscape and acoustic conditions in captivity, as well as on the effects of noise exposure on the auditory system. This chapter covers the present knowledge on (1) zebrafish natural soundscapes, (2) acoustic conditions in typical zebrafish housing systems, and (3) noise-induced hearing loss and inner ear damage in this model system. An overview is provided within a critical perspective considering the few existing studies and experimental limitations, while highlighting several open questions.