TGFB1 and hearing loss disorder: An extensive examination of all the known Tgfβ pathways in developing OHCs is beyond the scope of this study; however, we chose to examine a potential link between Tgfβ signaling and metabolism based on previous studies linking Tgfβ with metabolic pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle50, and the known links between hearing loss and metabolic/mitochondrial disorders51.