Revolutionary New Drug Could Prevent Hearing Loss

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hearing loss, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!

The world is getting louder. Just think about all of the sound you encounter from vehicles and electronic devices on a daily basis. All of that sound is causing serious harm to our ability to hear, and scientists are reporting that noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise. This type of hearing loss occurs when the incredibly sensitive hair-like cells in the inner ear are damaged by dangerous levels of noise. The problem has gotten so bad that, according to recent estimates, roughly 20% of Millennials now suffer from hearing loss.

Since we can't stop the world from getting louder, we need to take steps to protect our hearing. Fortunately, a team of researchers at the University of California in San Francisco may have uncovered a revolutionary approach.

Genes and Hearing Loss

The road to this discovery began when the team at UCSF decided to look into the role that a gene called Tmtc4 played in the development of the brain. To that end, the researchers deactivated the gene in mouse embryos. While the mice were born with normal hearing ability, they all became deaf roughly a month later. Since turning off the Tmtc4 gene didn't result in congenital deafness, the scientists reasoned that there was more to the story.

Upon further research, the team found that the loss of Tmtc4 caused the cells in the inner ear to be overly sensitive, resulting in a rapid onset of noise-induced hearing loss despite an absence of dangerous sound levels. The next step then was seeing if this hearing loss could be prevented, and the solution was to stop the body's unfolded protein response, or UPR, a natural mechanism that gets rid of damaged cells. Ultimately, the team found that treating the mice with an Integrated Stress Response Inhibitor, or ISRIB, actually prevented cell damage and preserved their hearing.

So what does this mean for hearing loss in humans? The short answer is nothing yet. While the lab tests with mice are promising, more trials will need to be done to see if human beings have the same type of response. Still, the underlying science is sound, and the researchers believe that a compound like the one used in the trails could be marketed to people. Theoretically, this medication could be taken before going to a concert or working in a noisy environment as a way to protect the sensitive hearing cells.

Until that theory becomes reality, however, it's best to take practical steps to preserve your hearing. If you know you're going to be exposed to loud noises for a prolonged period of time, be sure to wear hearing protection or frequently step away from the action to give your ears a break.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hearing loss, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!