Hearing is a process in which the hair cells in the cochlea play a very important role.  Hair cells are stimulated and moved by a vibrating sound wave and they  convert the vibration into an electrical signal that is interpreted by our brain as a sound (Tortora and Derrickson). So as a result of their important role in hearing, when the hair cells are damaged by extended contact with loud noise deafness can occur. A cochlear implant is usually the treatment performed to those with damaged hair cells to recover some hearing (Tortora and Derrickson). However, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School researchers have  successfully performed an experiment in which with the use of a drug managed to regenerate hair cells in deaf mice ( ScienceDaily).

Researchers used a group of deaf mice to test a drug’s effectiveness of turning supporting cells into new hair cells in the cochlea. The drug used inhibited a signal in the Notch protein which surrounds hair cells, and as a result of the inhibition the surrounding cells began to turn into hair cells (ScienceDaily). Afterwards, the deaf mice recovered some hearing because of the regenerated hair cells, and the drug was found to be what caused this improvement in their hearing (ScienceDaily). With the use of an analyses  that showed increase hair cells in the deaf mice ears, researchers further supported the regenerating power of the drug that was used (ScienceDaily).

Researchers are excited to see the results that this drug produced in adult mice because it is the first time hair cell regeneration has been achieved in adult mammals (ScienceDaily).  Implants, surgeries, and other types of treatments for hearing loss can become a thing of the past with this new found research. With further improvements of this drug and more testing, this drug could be used to correct any hearing problems caused by the damage or absence of hair cells. However, for now we should all take the proper precautions to take care of our hair cells by minimizing the exposure to loud sounds for an extended period of time.

Sources:

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. “Sensory hair cells regenerated, hearing restored in noise damaged mammal ear. “ScienceDaily, 9 Jan.  2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130109124201.htm

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons