Administrative Structure: The Research Cores will provide material and operational bases for the existing intellectual and scientific entity that is the Center for Hearing and Balance, along with associated investigators. As such the administration of the Research Cores will be closely tied to the existing structure of the Center which is directed by Dr. Eric Young. Most of the Core faculty participate in the academic activities of the Center for Hearing and Balance and therefore have weekly contact at research seminars, in classroom teaching, or elsewhere. In addition, Fuchs, Nathans and Glowatzki meet regularly through their membership in the Center for Sensory Biology. Interactions between Carey, Delia Santina, Francis, Fuchs, Glowatzki and Lane will be enhanced by their location in the newly-renovated Oto-HNS research complex on the eighth floor of the Ross building. The entire User's group, including the senior and junior technical staff, will meet semi-annually to discuss operations, equipment or supply needs, and to resolve scheduling or use issues. One of these meetings will include the annual Poster Session (see next paragraph). The Executive Committee, consisting of the PI, and individual Research Core Directors will meet quarterly to resolve personnel matters or user priority issues. The staff of each Core will maintain time sheets to document user access and the Director of each Core will set priorities for use, with special consideration for junior or underfunded faculty.