Will Research Bring a Cure for Hearing Loss?
When people hear the term "stem cell research," many automatically think of the extraordinary advocacy efforts of the late Christopher Reeve and assume that modern scientific studies are focusing on using stem cells to repair damaged spinal cords. While much research is being conducted in this important area, stem cells also are being studied because they offer promise in the treatment of a variety of other diseases and disabilities, including hearing loss.
A review of recent research shows that scientists have been trying to develop a cell-based therapy for hearing loss for more than 20 years and that current research is being conducted all over the world. A small sampling of current research reveals exciting, diverse and innovative projects:
- Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have been able to produce auditory (hearing) cells in the cochlea (inner ear) of mice by transferring a key gene into the cochlea as it was developing. The researchers believe their findings may be applicable to all mammals.
- In Italy, researchers also used mice to show that damaged cochlear tissue was regenerated and repaired when human umbilical cord cells were transplanted into a mouse cochlea. This project suggested that hearing damage caused by noise is more severe than damage caused by chemicals.
- At the University of California - Davis, scientists are studying whether hearing cells-which are called "hair cells" because of their appearance-might be replaced with stem cells from certain parts of the brain.
- At the Indiana School of Medicine, scientists are working to transform stem cells taken from adult bone marrow into cells with many of the characteristics of neurons found in the ear.
- In Greece, researchers are seeking a better understanding of the genetic components of hearing with a goal to regenerate hair cells in the cochlea.
- Genetic research at Purdue is finding that the lack of a key molecule leads to deafness, and studies at the University of Rochester Medical Center are showing that genes controlling cell death may cause age-related hearing loss.
- Scientists working on a project at the University of Sheffield were able to grow hair cells from stem cells extracted from the cochlea of a fetus.
- At Uppsala Universitet in Sweden, researchers have identified immature stem cells in the inner ears of humans and cultivated hearing nerves from stem cells and human tissue from donated cochleae. This project also is working on imaging techniques to view how auditory nerves develop.
Since there currently is no cure for hearing loss, the possibilities of cell-based therapies are exciting to imagine. However, remember that previous and existing studies have been conducted only on animals; in fact, it may be years before any of the research theories can be tested on people. Also, even in the face of recently relaxed guidelines for U.S. governmental funding of stem cell research due to President Obama's support and executive order, many ethical questions and dilemmas remain that may affect the course of future research.
While there is hope that research may lead to an eventual cure for hearing loss or a mechanism to repair it, nothing is on the immediate horizon. Our ability to hear remains a precious--and irreplaceable--gift.
Aug 19, 2009 at 7:23 AM Actually for about 40% of people there is a cure....and that is hearing loss prevention from noise. Visit our write-up on this topic at http://betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/
Aug 23, 2009 at 9:35 PM What is really frustrating for people with hearing loss is the lack of research funds being applied towards hearing loss and hair cell regeneration. There are only a few dozen top researchers working on this affliction throughout the whole world and yet hearing loss is the most common disability. It is funny how the US can spend more money on our military than all other nations combined and we can spend upwards of a billion dollars for a single space shuttle launch and yet the amount of money being applied towards disabilities that dramatically impact the quality of life is pitiful. If we could take a billion dollars and spend it on a cure for hearing loss then this problem could be solved but it seems the government appears to have other priorities.
Aug 25, 2009 at 9:12 AM hi,
I think you are doing human trials, at least with children (see the web cordbloodregistry -->> http://www.cordblood.com/regenerative-medicine/hearingloss.asp ).
In this blog http://deafdude1.blogspot.com/2009/08/stem-cells-for-deafness-begins-human.html you can also stay informed on human trials.
greetings!
May 20, 2010 at 11:54 PM Hearing loss is extremely common for people over the age of 60. It is also a serious medical condition for many young adults and children. It has become an increasingly big problem because the world we live in has become louder. If you are one of the millions who suffer from hearing loss, you should get tested and seek treatment immediately. Of course, prevention is the only cure, but you can learn to live with your hearing loss. How Is Hearing Loss Treated?
Jun 18, 2010 at 11:07 AM Sometimes you can protect the most you want and can and still you can have problems. Some don't have a little bit of awareness and / or care about others hearing. Some don't care at all about you. Should hair cells death in this case be considered like a cut member now? Some might agree with me that the average loudness we experience now is unacceptable. Silence can be now more than gold value. I had this problem at an unexpected time. Someone has dropped on purpose a steel ladder from about 1 m of height and I was at 1 or 2 meters of distance of that person. That person didn't seem to have any problem or pain at all and I nearly got it. My tinnitus worsened and I guess there has been some hearing loss involved as well. Even if the other person is used to do loud noise or don't hear it as loud doesn't mean there is no impact given to the person and the others around. Besides hearing loss, you can get stress and be angry to the person who has done that. You're irritable and god knows how you are feeling. Even though the person has done something, you can only have little help and care from others and you can stay isolated. This is a much bigger problem than some might think and I think it's time to move now. To lose hearing when it's not even your fault I find it stupid. It has become for some people that they have to wear earplugs 24 / 7 to ensure no one will just make a loud noise on purpose or not.
1. Prevention of noise
2. Some people should be educated the earliest possible and keep good habits about noise and respect others hearing. "WE DON'T HAVE TO BE AND DON'T WANT TO BE AFFECTED BY YOUR BEHAVIORS!" It's one of the easiest ways to harm someone in person without being arrested. Think about all the problems it can do to a body and mind just by the sound. It's alarming.
3. Funds should be increased to help the researchers
Considerations should be done about these kind of offense to someone. Should they pay for their hearing loss because of some people who make loud noise and you do everything to keep your hearing protected? There are many kind of situations where you can have limited control. Not everyone is rich and not everyone would be able to get a cure if it's expensive in the first place.
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