We all know eating an apple a day is good for your health. But here’s a new wellness tip you might not have considered: wear earplugs at concerts. Seriously — your ears will thank you for it.
Loud sounds slowly damage tiny hair cells in your inner ear (specifically in the cochlea), and once those cells are gone, they’re gone for good. These hair cells help us hear by turning sound waves into signals our brain can understand. Over time, especially with repeated noise exposure — think concerts, construction sites, or military service — those cells break down, leading to permanent hearing loss.
But what if we could actually regrow these lost cells?
Turns out, birds and fish already have that ability. And now, scientists might be getting closer to helping humans do the same.
A Step Closer to Hearing Repair
A research team at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience recently published a study in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, showing how certain genes might be used to kickstart regeneration in the inner ear.
Back in 2018, they discovered that turning on a gene called ERBB2 in mice triggered growth of new hair cells. But they weren’t exactly sure how it worked. This new study reveals the process behind the magic.
Using single-cell RNA sequencing (a technique to study individual cells), the team found that ERBB2 helps support cells in the ear behave like stem cells — in other words, they become flexible and ready to transform. These support cells then multiply and help make new hair cells.
A key player in this process is a protein called SPP1, which communicates through a receptor called CD44 (found in the inner ear). This interaction encourages cell division, which is exactly what’s needed for regeneration.
Why This Matters
The most exciting part? The scientists observed this regenerative activity not just in young mice, but in adults too. That gives hope that future treatments might help grown humans recover from hearing loss caused by noise damage or aging.
“We’re planning more studies to figure out if this process can actually improve hearing in adults,” said lead researcher Dr. Patricia White.
What’s Next?
This discovery is a big leap forward. It doesn’t mean there’s a cure for hearing loss tomorrow, but it opens the door to one day regenerating the cells that let us hear — something once thought impossible in humans.
The research was supported by several organizations, including the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Source:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/study-points-to-possible-new-…
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10…
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