Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered how to turn stem cells into the key cells governing hearing – the sensory hair cells and the auditory neurons.
Until now, once these cells were damaged, diminishing hearing, there was no cure.
This fantastic research has been showcased at the UK National Stem Cell Network conference, which took polace in Oxford, UK, on Monday April 6th.
Lead researched Dr Marcelo Rivolta said:
"The potential of stem cells is very exciting… This should facilitate the development of a stem cell treatment for deafness."
Although being able to cure deafness is some years away; but this is another are in which we can see that stem cells will – for some sufferers within a few years - reverse a condition which, up to now, has seemed hopeless.
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Jeff Hughes // May 18, 2009 at 11:41 am
I was VERY excited about the prospects for a treatment being created to deal with hearing loss. I am a 49 year old male who has had to endure a significant high frequency hearing loss all my life. This problem has often been a stumbling block when I applied for entry into the armed forces and other jobs. (I always had to seek a waiver for it.)
I do hope that a simple and cost effective treatment can be developed for people like me.
2 Rob // May 18, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Jeff – yes, this does sound like an exciting development for you. Let’s hope they develope it quickly. Malc
3 neuro // Aug 31, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hi,
I think you are doing human trials, at least with children (see the web cordbloodregistry –>> http://www.cordblood.com/regenerative-medicine/hearingloss.asp ).
In this blog http://deafdude1.blogspot.com/2009/08/stem-cells-for-deafness-begins-human.html you can also stay informed on human trials.
greetings!
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