Hearing Loss Research - Part 2
We have learned how clinical trials are an integral part of research, but how do researchers approach such trials for hearing health? The Stanford School of Medicine Otolaryngology Department – Head and Neck Surgery has a research entity call the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss (SICHL). The approach SICHL takes is collaboration with science researchers and medical doctors to ensure real life medical application is possible.
The website states “Stanford biomedical researchers continue to make rapid progress in understanding deafness and are designing and applying new insights in stem cell proliferation, regenerative medicine, bio-engineering, nanotechnology, and other specialties to restore hearing.” They state their focus is in four key areas: stem cell therapy, gene therapy, molecular therapy, and targeted neural stimulation. For more on each of these areas, go to https://hearinglosscure.stanford.edu/research/
Stanford is certainly not alone in its pursuit of hearing health research. Currently, the Department of Otolaryngology at the Columbia University Medical Center is proposing a clinical study of genetic analysis of hearing loss and a study of the gene therapy CGF166 in patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
Also, as noted in an AARP magazine’s (Oct/Nov 2018) discussion: “Medicines Aim to Repair Damaged Ears” there are several biotech companies working on drugs to help restore hearing. Clinical trials of a drug called FX-322 by Frequency Therapeutics, is now in Phase II clinical trials. The drug seems to activate a type of stem cell that has promise to repair damaged hair cells in the inner ear. The discussion cites that other therapies in animal studies also hold promise to reestablish synapse connections to allow more speech clarity.
Research continues all over the world in hopes of improving hearing health in the near future!
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