Frequency Therapeutics — Hearing Loss Regeneration

[Görkem]

My own concern is trying to keep my hearing loss in the moderately severe to severe range until this thing comes out (provided it works) and not having it slip into profound which is when there's not enough support cells for FX-322 to work.

I am doing everything I can to protect my hearing (something I started doing way too late), however, there's a finite level of control one can have after initial damage anyway and at the stage I'm at as well.

It's great there are other things potentially coming for profound cases but I'd really rather not slip into the profound range and for this drug to work and I don't have to wait for other things.

What I am also hopeful about is that if I do slip into profound in some ranges then this drug would still work and fix these profound ranges/frequencies based on the others that are still in severe ranges.

What is the range? Do you know it?

 

[Aleksa Uzunovic]

Hi guys, I haven't been here for a while.

So basically FX-322 has been proven to effectively improve hearing at high frequencies thus far, right?

 

[TrevorSanders]

So basically FX-322 has been proven to effectively improve hearing at high frequencies thus far, right?

Yes.

 

[tbuzz89]

The world will never care about tinnitus till more people talk about the severity of these issues.

I'll preface this by saying I would never wish tinnitus on anyone else, but I think within the next handful of years the world is going to see an exponential increase in tinnitus related complaints due to the sheer number of people, youthful especially, who consistently use AirPods, earbuds, etc. on a daily basis and at a loud volume. Enough numbers in order to create some sort of public awareness, and enough that it becomes a big problem.

My view on it? Good. I hope exponentially more people get tinnitus. Maybe then we'll have an exponential amount more money and research towards finding a full cure.

However, I'd rather see Frequency Therapeutics release stellar results in March to May and avoid the above scenario entirely.

 

[Lucifer]

I'll preface this by saying I would never wish tinnitus on anyone else, but I think within the next handful of years the world is going to see an exponential increase in tinnitus related complaints due to the sheer number of people, youthful especially, who consistently use AirPods, earbuds, etc. on a daily basis and at a loud volume. Enough numbers in order to create some sort of public awareness, and enough that it becomes a big problem.

My view on it? Good. I hope exponentially more people get tinnitus. Maybe then we'll have an exponential amount more money and research towards finding a full cure.

However, I'd rather see Frequency Therapeutics release stellar results in March to May and avoid the above scenario entirely.

Agree. But the thing is even though FX-322 might work, our ears will still be in a damaged state where it is easier for us to get tinnitus again. I still believe they need to raise more awareness even if FX-322 works. That is the only way for people to take these issues seriously.

 

[serendipity1996]

Agree. But the thing is even though FX-322 might work, our ears will still be in a damaged state where it is easier for us to get tinnitus again. I still believe they need to raise more awareness even if FX-322 works. That is the only way for people to take these issues seriously.

I don't think they would still be in a 'damaged' state if FX-322 works for us - there might remain a genetic susceptibility but I don't think that translates to our ears being inherently damaged.

 

[weab00]

Agree. But the thing is even though FX-322 might work, our ears will still be in a damaged state where it is easier for us to get tinnitus again. I still believe they need to raise more awareness even if FX-322 works. That is the only way for people to take these issues seriously.

Why would our ears still be damaged if we addressed all the underlying damage?

 

[GBB]

I don't think they would still be in a 'damaged' state if FX-322 works for us - there might remain a genetic susceptibility but I don't think that translates to our ears being inherently damaged.

Presumably, in the same way some of my hair cells were fine right up until they weren't, I have some normally functioning hair cells now which will die off in the future. I suppose if this happens we can simply do repeat treatments, but it may be a cycle of damage and medicinal repair.

 

[serendipity1996]

Presumably, in the same way some of my hair cells were fine right up until they weren't, I have some normally functioning hair cells now which will die off in the future. I suppose if this happens we can simply do repeat treatments, but it may be a cycle of damage and medicinal repair.

One thing I do wonder is whether the new hair cells will be more 'robust' since they are essentially newly created and have not suffered any cumulative noise exposure.

 

[Lucifer]

I don't think they would still be in a 'damaged' state if FX-322 works for us - there might remain a genetic susceptibility but I don't think that translates to our ears being inherently damaged.

Why would our ears still be damaged if we addressed all the underlying damage?

What I meant is that, say someone who doesn't have tinnitus and hyperacusis can still be around loud fireworks without any issues, whereas for us if FX-322 did work we will be mostly recovered but loud sounds will still cause us issues compared to normal people.

We would be fine with normal volume sounds but once we reach higher sound levels those without tinnitus or hyperacusis will be able to handle those sound levels better compared to someone with tinnitus or hyperacusis.

 

[weab00]

What I meant is that, say someone who doesn't have tinnitus and hyperacusis can still be around loud fireworks without any issues, whereas for us if FX-322 did work we will be mostly recovered but loud sounds will still cause us issues compared to normal people.

We would be fine with normal volume sounds but once we reach higher sound levels those without tinnitus or hyperacusis will be able to handle those sound levels better compared to someone with tinnitus or hyperacusis.

What's that statement founded on?

Hyperacusis is usually the amalgamation of years of chronic noise overexposure.

Who's to say that a few loud events would land us right back on square one?

 

[Diesel]

What I meant is that, say someone who doesn't have tinnitus and hyperacusis can still be around loud fireworks without any issues, whereas for us if FX-322 did work we will be mostly recovered but loud sounds will still cause us issues compared to normal people.

We would be fine with normal volume sounds but once we reach higher sound levels those without tinnitus or hyperacusis will be able to handle those sound levels better compared to someone with tinnitus or hyperacusis.

One might argue that a "normal" person around loud fireworks is still experiencing wear-and-tear, they just haven't accumulated enough damage to result in significant loss with tinnitus/hyperacusis as a symptom.

I suspect if FX-322 works for tinnitus, we'll see two divergent populations:

A: Those that lived with tinnitus for years, changed their behaviors re: loud environments/sounds and received some level of relief from FX-322. Maybe enough to go back to "normal." The people on this forum, for example.

B: Those that experienced hearing loss/tinnitus for an acute period of time, but not long enough to truly change their behavior. FX-322 treated their hearing loss/tinnitus and brought them back to "normal."


The restored hair cells for A and B are still subject the natural wear-and-tear that they experienced prior to needing FX-322. Hair-cells continue to wear even if they are regenerated to a "like-new" condition. So, continued hearing loss is going to be a fact of life.

However:

Group A: Will be much more likely to continue habits of hearing protection; and may experience less than the "normal" wear-and-tear trend they had prior to their chronic hearing loss condition. IE: using hearing protection in particularly loud environments like concerts, movie theaters, loud bars, sporting events, etc.

Group B: Will continue as normal like they did prior; and experience wear-and-tear to their hearing in a similar manner prior to their needing FX-322. IE: not likely using hearing protection when it is warranted.

 

[serendipity1996]

What's that statement founded on?

Hyperacusis is usually the amalgamation of years of chronic noise overexposure.

Who's to say that a few loud events would land us right back on square one?

I agree, I think for many of us it will have been years of cumulative noise damage - perhaps for some there was one event that was 'the straw that broke the camel's back' whereas for others the onset might have been more gradual.

As long as we're sensible and use protection as needed (as everyone should to be honest), I don't think our ears are bound to shatter like glass if exposed to one instance of unavoidable noise. I don't see any reason why we should not be able to live a relatively normal life.

 

[frpp]

What I meant is that, say someone who doesn't have tinnitus and hyperacusis can still be around loud fireworks without any issues, whereas for us if FX-322 did work we will be mostly recovered but loud sounds will still cause us issues compared to normal people.

We would be fine with normal volume sounds but once we reach higher sound levels those without tinnitus or hyperacusis will be able to handle those sound levels better compared to someone with tinnitus or hyperacusis.

I do think this is a possibility, and in the event that it is, perhaps one of the otoprotectants like SPI-1005 or Hough Ear Institute pill could help.

 

[Lucifer]

What's that statement founded on?

Hyperacusis is usually the amalgamation of years of chronic noise overexposure.

Who's to say that a few loud events would land us right back on square one?

It's just a theory. I hope that when FX-322 does come out that we can have our ears go back to normal without tinnitus or hyperacusis or having to worry about everyday sounds unless it's too loud.

I'm just wondering if we do recover from tinnitus or hyperacusis and somehow we get accidentally exposed to loud sounds, such as fireworks etc with or without earplugs, whether we would get tinnitus and hyperacusis more easily since we got it the 1st time around.

 

[Lucifer]

One thing I do wonder is whether the new hair cells will be more 'robust' since they are essentially newly created and have not suffered any cumulative noise exposure.

I do hope it's the case where our ears will become more robust after getting FX-322 and that even if we get accidentally exposed to loud sounds such as fireworks that it won't bring the tinnitus or hyperacusis back.

 

[Pete88]

I personally do not believe that one or two regular loud events will do anything. As mentioned above, FX-322 may likely regrow hair cells and basically start you at level 0 for damage, at least to those hair cells. I know that it was decades of bars, headphones, concerts and military that ultimately led to tinnitus. This has caused me to protect my ears with discreet earplugs, when appropriate, for a few years now, something I will continue to do after FX-322.

On the other hand, just because we will have the destroyed hair cells replaced by presumably young hair cells, that may not mean it will take the same abuse to revert back to pre-FX-322 condition. The drug only fixes the destroyed hair cells, however there may be tons of hair cells just barely holding on which may not benefit but still be close to dying, meaning your hearing can still degrade despite taking sporadically decent care of your ears. It would still be a massive improvement but just a little random thought I had.

 

[serendipity1996]

I do hope it's the case where our ears will become more robust after getting FX-322 and that even if we get accidentally exposed to loud sounds such as fireworks that it won't bring the tinnitus or hyperacusis back.

I think, on the bright side, there are also companies looking to develop drugs that would prevent against acoustic trauma. So that should help. And I imagine that most of us will go on to take better care of our ears than 99% of the population anyway, even once we have treatment.

 

[john paul]

I'll preface this by saying I would never wish tinnitus on anyone else, but I think within the next handful of years the world is going to see an exponential increase in tinnitus related complaints due to the sheer number of people, youthful especially, who consistently use AirPods, earbuds, etc. on a daily basis and at a loud volume. Enough numbers in order to create some sort of public awareness, and enough that it becomes a big problem.

My view on it? Good. I hope exponentially more people get tinnitus. Maybe then we'll have an exponential amount more money and research towards finding a full cure.

However, I'd rather see Frequency Therapeutics release stellar results in March to May and avoid the above scenario entirely.

Apple iPods are restricted to below 100 decibels. They are quite safe, although not perfectly.

 

[serendipity1996]

I personally do not believe that one or two regular loud events will do anything. As mentioned above, FX-322 may likely regrow hair cells and basically start you at level 0 for damage, at least to those hair cells. I know that it was decades of bars, headphones, concerts and military that ultimately led to tinnitus. This has caused me to protect my ears with discreet earplugs, when appropriate, for a few years now, something I will continue to do after FX-322.

On the other hand, just because we will have the destroyed hair cells replaced by presumably young hair cells, that may not mean it will take the same abuse to revert back to pre-FX-322 condition. The drug only fixes the destroyed hair cells, however there may be tons of hair cells just barely holding on which may not benefit but still be close to dying, meaning your hearing can still degrade despite taking sporadically decent care of your ears. It would still be a massive improvement but just a little random thought I had.

Also - we know that FX-322 seems to lead to durable results, at least from what we have observed so far with improvements being sustained between 13-21 months. It would be interesting to know participants' noise exposure in that time. It definitely seems promising.

 

[Lucifer]

I personally do not believe that one or two regular loud events will do anything. As mentioned above, FX-322 may likely regrow hair cells and basically start you at level 0 for damage, at least to those hair cells. I know that it was decades of bars, headphones, concerts and military that ultimately led to tinnitus. This has caused me to protect my ears with discreet earplugs, when appropriate, for a few years now, something I will continue to do after FX-322.

On the other hand, just because we will have the destroyed hair cells replaced by presumably young hair cells, that may not mean it will take the same abuse to revert back to pre-FX-322 condition. The drug only fixes the destroyed hair cells, however there may be tons of hair cells just barely holding on which may not benefit but still be close to dying, meaning your hearing can still degrade despite taking sporadically decent care of your ears. It would still be a massive improvement but just a little random thought I had.

If we start from Level 0 for damage that would make me happy. I'm just worried that once we recover, even if we are accidentally exposed to fireworks or a blender going off without earplugs, that it won't cause us to get tinnitus or hyperacusis back after just 1 loud accidental noise exposure.

 

[serendipity1996]

If we start from Level 0 for damage that would make me happy. I'm just worried that once we recover, even if we are accidentally exposed to fireworks or a blender going off without earplugs, that it won't cause us to get tinnitus or hyperacusis back after just 1 loud accidental noise exposure.

I think we'll have to be careful but I don't think something like a blender is sufficient to cause acoustic trauma in a healthy ear.

 

[tbuzz89]

All I know is that if FX-322 is truly able to rid us of tinnitus and hyperacusis, there isn't a chance that I'll ever attend a loud(ish) event, etc. without the use of hearing protection. The lesson has been well learned and if the time comes in a few years when my hearing is restored, I'll never take a chance again.

Headphones will forever be off the table, I'll never shoot a gun, attend a loud concert, or do anything (purposely) that could potentially cause tinnitus again. Just give me back my damn silence so I can read a book in peace.

 

[PeteJ]

If you don't have any "visible" hearing loss, but persistent chronic tinnitus after a physical trauma to the ear, would FX-322 still be beneficial to get rid of tinnitus, or is it just hearing loss related?

Did anyone answer you about your "physical trauma "question?

Also, I wonder if it matters regarding the nature of the physical trauma?

 

[Billy_Shears]

If we start from Level 0 for damage that would make me happy. I'm just worried that once we recover, even if we are accidentally exposed to fireworks or a blender going off without earplugs, that it won't cause us to get tinnitus or hyperacusis back after just 1 loud accidental noise exposure.

The coming decade, I believe, will grant us one giant step forward in PCA regenerative medicine, whereby such maladies like tinnitus and hearing loss will eventually become annoyances easily treated by an ENT physician. I wouldn't concern yourself with a fear of a return to past audible problems.

FX-322 is just the beginning of good things to come. Celebrate the fact that this science and the brilliant minds behind it have placed this miracle within reach. It's quite amazing when you think about it.

 

[Koz]

If we start from Level 0 for damage that would make me happy. I'm just worried that once we recover, even if we are accidentally exposed to fireworks or a blender going off without earplugs, that it won't cause us to get tinnitus or hyperacusis back after just 1 loud accidental noise exposure.

The way I see it is, if this situation does happen (and quite frankly it most likely will to be honest, as someone touched earlier if we are genetically predisposed to damage more than "normal"), at least you can go in for another injection to quickly revert it before it gets anywhere near as bad as after years of constant exposure with no reverse.

I think it could be one of those things that you might even end up doing once a year as maintenance if you continue to be exposed and more susceptible to damage. Who knows. I guess its all hypothesising now and we all have to trial it after we get it, if it indeed works.

Either way, if the treatment works even after damage again post treatment, that is still great news. Think of the other numerous conditions that require annual/bi-annual etc maintenance anyway. Not uncommon.

 

[NewLionel]

The way I see it is, if this situation does happen (and quite frankly it most likely will to be honest, as someone touched earlier if we are genetically predisposed to damage more than "normal"), at least you can go in for another injection to quickly revert it before it gets anywhere near as bad as after years of constant exposure with no reverse.

I think it could be one of those things that you might even end up doing once a year as maintenance if you continue to be exposed and more susceptible to damage. Who knows. I guess its all hypothesising now and we all have to trial it after we get it, if it indeed works.

Either way, if the treatment works even after damage again post treatment, that is still great news. Think of the other numerous conditions that require annual/bi-annual etc maintenance anyway. Not uncommon.

Well maintenance equals regular payments/profits, so I'm sure the company would be more than happy with this situation.

 

[Koz]

Well maintenance equals regular payments/profits, so I'm sure the company would be more than happy with this situation.

You can't put a price on peace of mind as they say. Well I mean technically you can, but you get me.

 

[weab00]

All I know is that if FX-322 is truly able to rid us of tinnitus and hyperacusis, there isn't a chance that I'll ever attend a loud(ish) event, etc. without the use of hearing protection. The lesson has been well learned and if the time comes in a few years when my hearing is restored, I'll never take a chance again.

Headphones will forever be off the table, I'll never shoot a gun, attend a loud concert, or do anything (purposely) that could potentially cause tinnitus again. Just give me back my damn silence so I can read a book in peace.

I feel you bro, but I'mma become a musician if my tinnitus and hyperacusis ever get cured.

Catch me slinging a bass guitar in 2025.

 

[Street Novelist]

I feel you bro, but I'mma become a musician if my tinnitus and hyperacusis ever get cured.

Catch me slinging a bass guitar in 2025.

You won't have to wait that long. Just watch.