The ear is the organ of hearing. It receives audio stimuli from outside and relays them to the brain. Impairment of hearing may occur due to aging or prolonged exposure to loud noise (> 75 decibels).

There are 3 types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs typically due to problems in the outer or middle ear and may be treated with surgery, medicine, and hearing aids. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear nerves are damaged; it is permanent and only can be treated with hearing aids. Mixed hearing loss refers to a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

To overcome hearing impairment, most patients are usually advised to use hearing aids, and some of them are recommended to undergo treatment. Recently there was a joint research conducted by the University of Southern California and Harvard that gave new hope of remedy for people suffering from hearing loss.

The researchers designed a molecule combining 7.8-dihydroxyflavone, which mimics a protein critical for development and function of the nervous system, and bisphosphonates, a type of drug that sticks to bones. In the study, the combination of these two molecules managed to regenerate synapses is mice’ ear tissue. This new approach is revolutionary because it is resistant to the flowing fluid inside the inner ear. Thus, it is possible to precisely target damaged cells and nerves.

This research was conducted on animal tissue in a petri dish and has never been tested on living creatures. Thus, the researchers will conduct further research to examine and verify the effectiveness of this method. Nevertheless, this research has given hope to all people suffering hearing loss and people wanting to avoid loss of hearing.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Scientists develop method to repair damaged structures deep inside the ear (2018), https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180404154630.htm, (11 April 2018)
• Kempfle, J. S., Nguyen, K., Hamdani, C. et al (2018). Bisphosphonate-Linked TrkB Agonist: Cochlea-Targeted Delivery of a Neurotrophic Agent as a Strategy for the Treatment of Hearing Loss. Bioconjugate Chemistry DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00022
• Hearing loss - Types, Causes and Treatment, http://www.hearingloss.org/content/types-causes-and-treatment, (11 April 2018)