Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S., and approximately 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ears. There’s a strong likelihood you or someone you love might be one of them.
So how do we lose our hearing?
Hearing loss is primarily caused by the death of sound-sensing cells (called hair cells) found in the inner ear. These cells can naturally regenerate in birds, frogs and fish, allowing recovery of hearing. But until recently, hair cells were not thought to regenerate in mammals. Dr. Brandon Cox, a scientist at SIU School of Medicine, discovered their ability to regenerate in newborn mice and is hoping to use this groundbreaking finding to one day help millions regain their hearing.
Unfortunately, no FDA-approved drugs are available to treat hearing loss or tinnitus. The current treatment strategy for these conditions is hearing aids or cochlear implants. While they provide some benefit, they do not restore normal hearing. Thus, more research is needed.
Dr. Cox’s long-term goal is to develop new treatment strategies to replace the damaged cells and restore hearing. She has secured a three-year grant from the U.S. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, a division of the Department of Defense, to advance her study of hearing loss and regeneration of sound-sensing cells in the inner ear.
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