In embodiments, the invention relates to methods and compositions formodulating(e.g., increasing) Atoh1 activity (e.g., biological activity) and/orexpression (e.g., transcriptionand/or translation) in vivo and/or in vitro, e.g., in a biological cell and/orin a subject. Morespecifically, the methods and compositions described herein can be used in thetreatment ofdiseases and/or disorders that would benefit from increased Atoh1 expressionin a biologicalcell. In an embodiment, the invention provides use of one or more compoundsselected fromthe group consisting of: (i) one or more Wnt/.beta.-catenin pathway agonists；(ii) one or moreglycogen synthase kinase 3.beta. inhibitors； and (iii) one or more caseinkinase I inhibitors fortreating a subject who has or is at risk of developing an auditory disorder asa result of loss ofauditory hair cells.
