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Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

hms.harvard.edu

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Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#81
post #66

We are a long way from a cure. Hearing is complicated, this is a repost and it's believed many components need to be fixed in order to hear again. A drug (FX-322) was pulled recently after reaching stage 2 clinical trials and had good evidence of regenerating hair cells via progenitors in mice and cadaver. Hair cells are not even considered the first thing to be damaged when one notices hearing loss. It's considered…

I also thought of fx322 and oto313 (from another lab). Hearing regeneration and tinnitus healing are those things that seem "achievable " but are way more complicated than it seems initially. The subreddit r/tinnitusresearch has good coverage of the scientific efforts. Which as you mentioned are not that many.

There's another promising candidate by Sound Pharmaceuticals. A synthetic compound, Ebselen

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04677972

The trials have shown some degree of efficacy above controls. At this stage I only consider evidence from trials to get excited over, though it's important to be optimistic over lab results and research.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#82
post #70

We are a long way from a cure. Hearing is complicated, this is a repost and it's believed many components need to be fixed in order to hear again. A drug (FX-322) was pulled recently after reaching stage 2 clinical trials and had good evidence of regenerating hair cells via progenitors in mice and cadaver. Hair cells are not even considered the first thing to be damaged when one notices hearing loss. It's considered…

The article seems to suggest that the SG cell is also getting regenerated. See > The new cells contained transduction channels that relay sound signals and the ability to form connections with auditory neurons — processes essential to hearing.

Incredible I think I missed that part. Afaik the only other drug shown to regenerate synapse in animals was a Bisphosphonates (Zoledronate acid).

There's further questions on the models. Using Guinea pigs and mice yeild different outcomes. There's also questions on whether adult mice are better suited for hearing research.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#83
post #67

We are a long way from a cure. Hearing is complicated, this is a repost and it's believed many components need to be fixed in order to hear again. A drug (FX-322) was pulled recently after reaching stage 2 clinical trials and had good evidence of regenerating hair cells via progenitors in mice and cadaver. Hair cells are not even considered the first thing to be damaged when one notices hearing loss. It's considered…

Can you point me to some sources that back up your claim that neurons are damaged first and only later hair cells are lost as well. I always thought it’s the other way round.

Of course. There's an good video explaining this and also citing / explaining the same research. I made a error in my original post, it is the synapse* not neuron between the SG and audiotry nerve, and the IHC / OHC.

Hidden Hearing Loss: The Effects of Synaptopathy, Stanford.

https://youtu.be/ZGmPG94Rmr8

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#84
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d love to know what silence is like.

Well, actually, true silence (as in an anechoic chamber) can be maddening.

i worked for a company once with a large (10’ sided cube) and very high-quality anechoic chamber and would go in there on lunch breaks to mediate, was fantastic. (never had audio hallucinations.) i was young and had no hearing issues which probably helped.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#85
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you point me to some sources that back up your claim that neurons are damaged first and only later hair cells are lost as well. I always thought it’s the other way round.

Of course. There's an good video explaining this and also citing / explaining the same research. I made a error in my original post, it is the synapse* not neuron between the SG and audiotry nerve, and the IHC / OHC. Hidden Hearing Loss: The Effects of Synaptopathy, Stanford. https://youtu.be/ZGmPG94Rmr8

Thanks for following up.

I think there are different forms of hearing loss (hidden hearing loss, noice induced hearing loss, middle ear hearing loss, ...). I think noice induced hearing loss is most common nowadays and is caused by structural damage to hair cells. Regenerating hair cells might cure this particular form of hearing loss but not others. I think the one you mentioned has a different root cause for which new hair cells are only part of the puzzle.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#86

We are a long way from a cure. Hearing is complicated, this is a repost and it's believed many components need to be fixed in order to hear again. A drug (FX-322) was pulled recently after reaching stage 2 clinical trials and had good evidence of regenerating hair cells via progenitors in mice and cadaver. Hair cells are not even considered the first thing to be damaged when one notices hearing loss. It's considered…

When I first starting doing more research I was surprised by the low funding and the fairly big number of affected patients. Why is there not more funding? Research is making steady progress so the field doesn't appear to be a money sink with nothing to show for.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#87
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to play in bands and go to a lot of concerts without earplugs (mistakes of youth). I’ve had tinnitus for almost 20 years, and I am so used to it now that it’s a non issue. That said, it drove me crazy in the beginning.

30+ years of midwest raves did me in. One sound system had 1MW bass bins - have been to some with ~40ft x ~15ft of bass bins. Only one ruptured ear drum in all of that time (Regis - didn't even seem that loud) - that's the ear that is the worst. Doesn't bother me, other than anxiety about potential neurological effects.

Wait 30+ years of raves? In my mind’s eye you’re now a mulleted 45 yo Java dev at MedLab International creeping out the twenty something hotties, offering them glow sticks and Molly and telling them how you went to see Chemical Brothers before it was hip.

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#88

Not obviously related to the article, but given this might attract the hearing-curious or knowledgeable. For as long as I can remember I've had great difficulty hearing in noisy environments. In my younger years it didn't bother me too much as I was mostly at noisy events to enjoy the music anywhere, and if I wanted to talk we'd move somewhere quieter. If I make a concerted effort I can usually hear someone directly…

My experience has weirdly been the opposite. I got a job at a crowded and noisy casino. During some big events it was so crowded I had to walk sideways through crowds in the slot machine area. And very loud due to slot machines and people talking, yelling, screaming if they win. Eventually I realized as I conversed with my co-workers we didn't need to yell and I could hear them 10 feet away. Note we did also use CB r…

Damn it now I want to visit a crowded casino with my wife and try to duplicate the Cocktail Party Effect

Re: Scientists regenerate hair cells that enable hearing

#89

We are a long way from a cure. Hearing is complicated, this is a repost and it's believed many components need to be fixed in order to hear again. A drug (FX-322) was pulled recently after reaching stage 2 clinical trials and had good evidence of regenerating hair cells via progenitors in mice and cadaver. Hair cells are not even considered the first thing to be damaged when one notices hearing loss. It's considered…

You seem to know your stuff.

My family suffers from a mitochondrial disease in which effects these very hairs in our cochlea (which makes us great candidates for cochlear implants) but would this be "simple" for research such as regenerating hair cells?

One of the reasons we make such good cochlear implant candidates is we instantly hear. It's like the neurons/links were just waiting.

If this is of interest to you, or you could perhaps point me in the direction of someone in this space, you can find my via my profile :)

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