Hearing loss is a frustrating part of aging. Not only that, it can also lead to tinnitus, loneliness and even dementia. This is why the study of methods to reverse hearing loss is so attractive to many people. Now, MIT scientists may have found a solution.
MIT's frequency therapeutics is looking for new ways to reverse hearing loss. However, not by equipping patients with hearing aids or implants. Instead, the biotech company hopes to use a new regenerative therapy to repair the tiny hair cells that enable us to hear sound.
As we grow older and exposed to loud noise or drugs, hair cells begin to die. Because the ear relies heavily on tiny hair to detect sound, these conditions can lead to hearing loss. However, frequency therapeutics may have found a way to eliminate this damage.
The company has been testing a regenerative therapy that uses small molecules to program progenitor cells. These cells are the offspring of stem cells. These progenitor cells are placed in the inner ear and can create tiny hair cells that produce hearing. Therefore, it allows these cells to reverse hearing loss by replacing the hair that first causes hearing loss.
This is an interesting move and may prove fruitful as they continue their research. So far, the company has seen special results of tests based on measuring speech perception. "Speech perception is the primary goal of improving hearing," said Dr. Chris Luce, co-founder and chief scientific officer of frequency.
So far, frequency therapeutics has taken its regenerative therapy for more than 200 patients. Three of the trials conducted by frequency showed positive results in reversing hearing loss. However, one study showed no improvement. All four trials were based on the improvement of speech perception.
The company is now promoting a new 124 person trial. It expects the preliminary results to be released early next year. If the trial goes well, we can see more extensive testing of this regenerative therapy. It still has a long way to go before it is officially listed. So far, however, the results do look promising for those who need to reverse hearing loss.
In addition, as the program matures and develops, scientists believe it can become easier to manage. Jeff Karp, a teacher in the Department of Health Science and technology at MIT at Harvard University, said in a statement: "If within 10 or 15 years, due to the resources invested in this field and the incredible scientific progress being made, we can reach the extent that reversing hearing loss will be similar to LASIK surgery, and you can fully restore your vision in an hour or two. If so, we may be able to completely reverse hearing loss at some time in the future. This alone can have a huge impact on society Ring. "
Learn more:
https://news.mit.edu/2022/frequency-therapeutics-hearing-regeneration-0329
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05086276