Irreversible hearing loss is caused by death of sensory hair cells in the ear. Several classes of drugs, including aminoglycoside antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs are known to kill hair cells; however, in many cases the benefit of using the drug outweighs the potential for hearing loss. Previous research has shown that a class of proteins induced in response to cell stress, the heat shock proteins (HSPs), can protect against sensory hair cell death in response to ototoxic drugs. Despite understanding how HSPs protect the hair cells of the inner ear, there are no current therapies to induce expression of or deliver HSP directly to the inner ear. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Lisa Cunningham and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health developed a sound preconditioning protocol in mice that did not damage hearing, but induced HSP expression in the ear. They found that sound conditioning prior to treatment with ototoxic drugs, protected mice from drug-induced hearing loss. Furthermore, sound preconditioning resulted in increased expression of HSPs in the inner ear. Together, these data indicate that sound therapy may protect hearing in patients that require treatment with ototoxic drugs. Source: Eurekalert << Drug Activates Parvoviruses Against Cancer Increased Life Expectancy Among Family Caregivers: Johns Ho... >> Recommended Reading New Compound may Prevent Noise-Related Hearing Loss Seems like your mom was right about loud music damaging your ear after all. Scientists have now discovered which part of the ear gets damaged by loud music and how READ MORE A Molecular Chaperon Prevents Antibiotic Associated Hearing Loss: Research An underlying cause of hearing loss is the death of sensory hair cells in the inner ear. READ MORE Researchers Make Great Progress In Neurosensory Hearing Loss Moffat and Ramsden for the first time discovered the possibility of the auditory system in humans in 1977. READ MORE Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic neuroma is a benign intercranial tumor involving the myelin-forming Schwann cells of the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve in the peripheral nervous system READ MORE Alport Syndrome Hereditary Nephritis, more commonly known as Alport Syndrome, is a genetic condition that is characterized by kidney disease, eye abnormalities and hearing loss. READ MORE Audiometry Audiometry or the hearing test helps to determine the ability of a person to hear various sounds and consequently identify the location of damage in a person with diminished hearing sensitivity. READ MORE Hearing Aids Hearing aid is an electronic device that helps people with hearing loss to hear more and communicate more effectively. Only 1 out of 5 people benefit from a hearing aid. READ MORE Hearing Tests in Newborns Ideally, screening tests for hearing loss should be conducted before the infant is 1 month of age. READ MORE Meniere’s Disease Meniere’s disease is a condition of unknown cause in which the patient experiences symptoms of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the ears. READ MORE Presbycusis Presbycusis (age related hearing loss) is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. Presbycusis involves progressive sensorineural hearing loss. READ MORE Tinnitus Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, hissing, or other sound within the ears when no corresponding external sound is present. READ MORE Usher Syndrome Usher syndrome is a rare genetic disease which is the leading cause of deaf-blindness in humans. READ MORE Most Popular on Medindia Blood Pressure Calculator Find a Hospital Indian Medical Journals More News on: TinnitusPresbycusisAcoustic NeuromaMeniere’s DiseaseHearing AidsHearing Tests in NewbornsHearing LossUsher SyndromeAlport SyndromeAudiometry
Irreversible hearing loss is caused by death of sensory hair cells in the ear. Several classes of drugs, including aminoglycoside antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs are known to kill hair cells; however, in many cases the benefit of using the drug outweighs the potential for hearing loss. Previous research has shown that a class of proteins induced in response to cell stress, the heat shock proteins (HSPs), can protect against sensory hair cell death in response to ototoxic drugs. Despite understanding how HSPs protect the hair cells of the inner ear, there are no current therapies to induce expression of or deliver HSP directly to the inner ear. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Lisa Cunningham and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health developed a sound preconditioning protocol in mice that did not damage hearing, but induced HSP expression in the ear. They found that sound conditioning prior to treatment with ototoxic drugs, protected mice from drug-induced hearing loss. Furthermore, sound preconditioning resulted in increased expression of HSPs in the inner ear. Together, these data indicate that sound therapy may protect hearing in patients that require treatment with ototoxic drugs. Source: Eurekalert << Drug Activates Parvoviruses Against Cancer Increased Life Expectancy Among Family Caregivers: Johns Ho... >> Recommended Reading New Compound may Prevent Noise-Related Hearing Loss Seems like your mom was right about loud music damaging your ear after all. Scientists have now discovered which part of the ear gets damaged by loud music and how READ MORE A Molecular Chaperon Prevents Antibiotic Associated Hearing Loss: Research An underlying cause of hearing loss is the death of sensory hair cells in the inner ear. READ MORE Researchers Make Great Progress In Neurosensory Hearing Loss Moffat and Ramsden for the first time discovered the possibility of the auditory system in humans in 1977. READ MORE Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic neuroma is a benign intercranial tumor involving the myelin-forming Schwann cells of the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve in the peripheral nervous system READ MORE Alport Syndrome Hereditary Nephritis, more commonly known as Alport Syndrome, is a genetic condition that is characterized by kidney disease, eye abnormalities and hearing loss. READ MORE Audiometry Audiometry or the hearing test helps to determine the ability of a person to hear various sounds and consequently identify the location of damage in a person with diminished hearing sensitivity. READ MORE Hearing Aids Hearing aid is an electronic device that helps people with hearing loss to hear more and communicate more effectively. Only 1 out of 5 people benefit from a hearing aid. READ MORE Hearing Tests in Newborns Ideally, screening tests for hearing loss should be conducted before the infant is 1 month of age. READ MORE Meniere’s Disease Meniere’s disease is a condition of unknown cause in which the patient experiences symptoms of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the ears. READ MORE Presbycusis Presbycusis (age related hearing loss) is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. Presbycusis involves progressive sensorineural hearing loss. READ MORE Tinnitus Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, hissing, or other sound within the ears when no corresponding external sound is present. READ MORE Usher Syndrome Usher syndrome is a rare genetic disease which is the leading cause of deaf-blindness in humans. READ MORE Most Popular on Medindia Blood Pressure Calculator Find a Hospital Indian Medical Journals More News on: TinnitusPresbycusisAcoustic NeuromaMeniere’s DiseaseHearing AidsHearing Tests in NewbornsHearing LossUsher SyndromeAlport SyndromeAudiometry