Pioneering research brings cure for hearing loss one step closer

Research funded by RNID and Deafness Research UK has made a major breakthrough towards using stem cells as a treatment for hearing loss in the future. The work will be presented on Monday 6 April 2009 at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science conference in Oxford, UK. The study, led by researchers at the University of Sheffield, has successfully isolated human stem cells and discovered how to turn these into either cells that behave like sensory hair cells or auditory neurons. The cells could be used to restore hearing. Currently, there is no way to repair the cells that detect sound (hair cells) once they have been damaged and the resulting hearing loss is permanent. The results of this research also means that, for the first time, there is now a system based on human cells for testing new therapies in the laboratory. Lead researcher and senior research fellow at the University of Sheffield, Dr Marcelo Rivolta, said: "The potential of stem cells is very exciting.