Scientists Optimistic About New “Solution” For Hearing Loss

A RECENT STUDY conducted by a team of researchers at Harvard revealed a shocking development About hearing loss, which was once believed to be incurable.

In the scientific and medical community, the inability of mammals to regenerate hair cells has presented a challenge for a long time. Hair cells are the cells located in the inner ear that relay sounds to the brain. Once they are damaged due to aging or prolonged exposure to dangerously loud noises, our bodies do not replace them. The same is not true for species like birds, fish, and reptiles—these animals do possess the ability to naturally regenerate hair cells. 

The narrative seems to be changing after a groundbreaking discovery at Harvard Medical School. Zheng-Yi Chen, an associate professor of otolaryngology at HMS and associate scientist in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass Eye and Ear recently led a research team that has developed a “drug-like cocktail” of various molecules that remarkably regenerated hair cells in mice. The scientists were able to accomplish this by altering genetic pathways that exist in the inner ear. 

“These findings are extremely exciting because, throughout the history of the hearing loss field, the ability to regenerate hair cells in an inner ear has been the holy grail,” says Chen. Although the application has yet to be experimented with on human subjects, he says that the current findings could pave the way for future clinical use. 

Chen’s team initiated their research by studying zebrafish and chickens, allowing them to uncover two molecular signaling pathways responsible for hair cell regeneration. They then applied this technology to transgenic mice; however, it was still not translatable to humans, as necessary pathways couldn’t be turned on and off like in transgenic mice. 

Finally, Chen’s team devised a drug therapy that can alter downstream neural pathways, enabling activation of the Myc pathway, which was necessary for hair cell regeneration. “Think about a break when driving a car,” explains Chen. “If the brake is always engaged, you can’t drive. We found an siRNA that could remove the brake in this genetic pathway.” 

Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. This is truly a remarkable advancement in science and will hopefully open doors for hearing loss patients. But for now, make sure to wear your earplugs!