 |
|
Can you hear me now? Stem cells enhance hearing recovery
June 25, 2007Tokyo, Japan -- Researchers have shown that bone marrow stem cells injected into a damaged inner ear can speed hearing recovery after partial hearing loss. The related report by Kamiya et al, "Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation accelerates hearing recovery through the repair of injured cochlear fibrocytes," appears in the July issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
Hearing loss has many causes, including genetics, aging, and infection, and may be complete or partial. Such loss may involve damage to inner ear cells called cochlear fibrocytes, which are fundamental to inner ear function. Some natural regeneration of these cells can occur after acute damage, leading to partial recovery of temporary hearing loss. But could such restoration be enhanced by using bone marrow stem cells, which can differentiate into various tissue-specific cell types"
Dr. Tatsuo Matsunaga of National Tokyo Medical Center pursued this hypothesis by utilizing a well-characterized rat model of drug-induced hearing loss. This model specifically destroys cochlear fibrocytes and leads to acute hearing loss. Although partial recovery occurs over many weeks, high-frequency hearing remains extremely diminished. Using this system, the investigators examined whether direct administration of stem cells into the inner ear could restore the cochlear fibrocyte population and aid hearing recovery.
Stem cells injected into the inner ear survived in half of the injured rats, where they migrated away from the site of injection toward the injured region within the inner ear. These stem cells divided in the new environment and expressed several proteins necessary for hearing, suggesting tissue-specific differentiation. Further, transplanted cells that migrated to the damaged area of the inner ear displayed shape similar to that of cochlear fibrocytes.
Importantly, transplanted rats exhibited faster recovery from hearing loss, particularly in the high frequency range, which is difficult to restore by natural regeneration. Stem cell migration into the damaged area of the inner ear improved hearing of high frequency sound (40 kHz) by 23% compared to natural recovery in untreated animals.
This is the first report to demonstrate hearing recovery following stem cell transplantation into the inner ear. "Cell therapy targeting regeneration of the cochlear fibrocytes may therefore be a powerful strategy to cure sensorineural hearing loss that cannot be reversed by current therapies," state Dr. Matsunaga and colleagues.
American Journal of Pathology
Stem cells injected into the inner ear survived in half of the injured rats, where they migrated away from the site of injection toward the injured region within the inner ear. These stem cells divided in the new environment and expressed several proteins necessary for hearing, suggesting tissue-specific differentiation. Further, transplanted cells that migrated to the damaged area of the inner ear displayed shape similar to that of cochlear fibrocytes.
Importantly, transplanted rats exhibited faster recovery from hearing loss, particularly in the high frequency range, which is difficult to restore by natural regeneration. Stem cell migration into the damaged area of the inner ear improved hearing of high frequency sound (40 kHz) by 23% compared to natural recovery in untreated animals.
This is the first report to demonstrate hearing recovery following stem cell transplantation into the inner ear. "Cell therapy targeting regeneration of the cochlear fibrocytes may therefore be a powerful strategy to cure sensorineural hearing loss that cannot be reversed by current therapies," state Dr. Matsunaga and colleagues.
American Journal of Pathology
Hearing Current Events and Hearing News RSSActive hearing process in mosquitoes
A mathematical model has explained some of the remarkable features of mosquito hearing. In particular, the male can hear the faintest beats of the female's wings and yet is not deafened by loud noises.
Bigger not necessarily better, when it comes to brains
Tiny insects could be as intelligent as much bigger animals, despite only having a brain the size of a pinhead, say scientists at Queen Mary, University of London.
New brain findings on dyslexic children
The vast majority of school-aged children can focus on the voice of a teacher amid the cacophony of the typical classroom thanks to a brain that automatically focuses on relevant, predictable and repeating auditory information, according to new research from Northwestern University.
A Lightning Strike in Africa Helps Take the Pulse of the Sun
Sunspots, which rotate around the sun's surface, tell us a great deal about our own planet. Scientists rely on them, for instance, to measure the sun's rotation or to prepare long-range forecasts of the Earth's health.
Caltech scientists develop DNA origami nanoscale breadboards for carbon nanotube circuits
In work that someday may lead to the development of novel types of nanoscale electronic devices, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has combined DNA's talent for self-assembly with the remarkable electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, thereby suggesting a solution to the long-standing problem of organizing carbon nanotubes into nanoscale electronic circuits.
'Escaped' proteins add to hearing loss in elderly, UF researchers find
Age-related hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly. But scientists are still trying to figure out what cellular processes govern or contribute to the loss.
Squeak, squeak -- can you hear me now?
What do you get when you cross a mouse with poor hearing and a mouse with even worse hearing? Ironically, a new strain of mice with "golden ears" - mice that have outstanding hearing as they age.
Babies with an accent
In the first days of their lives, French infants already cry in a different way to German babies.
Excitation pattern peak is more important determinant of vowel quality
The perceptions of five Chinese vowel /u, o, a, y, i/ and many perceptional phenomena can be explained well by the excitation pattern peaks. The study is reported in Science in China, Series F-Information Sciences, Volume 52，Issues 10 (Oct, 2009).
Carbon atmosphere discovered on neutron star
Evidence for a thin veil of carbon has been found on the neutron star in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. This discovery, made with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, resolves a ten-year mystery surrounding this object.
More Hearing Current Events and Hearing News Articles
 |
The Stealth Secret Sound Amplifier by The Stealth SSA If a conventional hearing aid sounds like an embarrassment to you; try the Stealth Secret Sound Amplifier. It looks just like a cell phone ear adapter and works as a sound enhancer so you can join conversations and even hear soft voices from 50 feet away. Now you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a more youthful appearance and better hearing. Comes with charger (no batteries to replace) and three ear tips. |
 |
Hearing (Rookie Read-About Health) by Sharon Gordon (Author) The popular Rookie Books expand their horizons - to all corners of the globe! With this series all about geography, emergent readers will take off on adventures to cities, nations, waterways, and habitats around the world…and right in their own backyards. |
 |
Listen Up by Idea Village Listen Up Personal Sound Amplifier, Turn Ordinary Hearing Into Extraordinary Hearing, Watch TV Without Disturbing Others, Great For Listening To Music, Theater, Church, Top Selling As Seen On TV Item. |
 |
Clarity Professional PL100 Personal Listener Plus by Clarity The Clarity Professional PL 100 featuring Clarity Power technology makes everyday conversations, business meetings and sounds not only louder, but also clearer and easier to understand. |
 |
IntelliEar Plus- Rechargeable Personal Sound Amplifier by Angel Sales IntelliEar Plus- Rechargeable Personal Sound Amplifier IntelliEar hearing device is designed for today's active lifestyles! Improve your hearing and enhance your image! Rechargeable for easy use! The IntelliEAR personal sound system is so lightweight and compact, you won't even feel like you're wearing it. Its soft foam handle fits snugly over the right or left ear to ensure maximum comfort. Never again feel embarrassed by having to ask friends, family or business associates to repeat themselves. With the sleek, stylish and affordable IntelliEAR, you will have heard it all the first time. Whether you're in the theater, watching TV, listening to soft music or just having a quiet conversation, you will hear loud and clear. Features: Looks like an expensive cell phone earpiece!... |
 |
Fundamentals of Hearing, Fifth Edition: An Introduction by William A. Yost (Author) The fifth edition of this successful introductory text on hearing sciences includes auditory, anatomy, physiology, psychoacoustics, and perception content. Fundamentals of Hearing is one of only a few textbooks that covers all of hearing at an introductory level. A meaningful introduction to hearing for students and a wealth of data and facts related to hearing for the professional. *Heavily illustrated with over 200 figures *Each chapter concludes with a Supplement section with additional resources about topics covered *Appendices provide background information to enable full comprehension of content *Contains a complete Glossary of terms from the American Standards Institute, a combined subject/author index, and a... |
 |
Angel Sales Magni Ear Plus Sound Amplification System by Angel Sales MagniEar+ is the revolutionary sound amplification system that is affordable and discreet. Lightweight and compact, you won't even feel like you're wearing it. Whether you're in the theater, watching TV, listening to soft music or just having a quiet conversation, you will hear loud and clear. While some hearing devices can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, MagniEar+ is a remarkable value! The MagniEar+ comes with 3 sizes of soft tips that can be worn in the right or left ear to give you a perfect fit. For your convenience, MagniEar+ also comes with 5 batteries. Say goodbye to the frustration and embarrassment that comes with not being able to hear properly and say hello to MagniEar+. |
 |
SSI Mini Hearing Aid with 5 Levels of Volume Control (Batteries Included) by GSM LLC SSI HA-01 Mini Game Stalker Hearing Aid. Five adjustable volume levels, lightweight and affordable. Extra ear pieces and batteries included |
 |
Save Your Hearing Now: The Revolutionary Program That Can Prevent and May Even Reverse Hearing Loss by Michael D. Seidman (Author), Marie Moneysmith (Author) After 20 years of research, leading otolaryngologist Dr. Michael Seidman has developed a breakthrough all natural alternative treatment program to battle hearing loss safely and effectively. Using a specifi c combination of antioxidants, diet, exercise, and basic lifestyle changes, Dr. Seidman's program can help to prevent--and possibly reverse--hearing loss. The book offers a simple self-assessment test that identifies the type, severity, and prognosis of hearing loss, comprehensive advice on diet and supplements, and natural remedies and important lifestyle changes that can make a difference. This is the ultimate resource providing answers--and hope--to the millions of hearing impaired. |
 |
NaturalCare HearAll, Supports Optimal Hearing Function, 60 Capsules by NaturalCare "I can't hear you." Hearing is the 2nd most common health concern! HearAll is specifically designed with break-through ingredients that support hearing clarity, auditory sensitivity and circulation, protects cells from free radical damage and maintains hearing cell longevity. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |