Hurdles for Hearing Restoration

[newarrior]

Thoughts ?
http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/43797/title/Hurdles-for-Hearing-Restoration/

 

[Nucleo]

Decades away still.

 

[JohnK]

Science is hard.

Although even if we can't generate the exact right cells of the exact right type in the exact right place, I think they have been able to get *some* improvement.

Those tests with mice showed formerly deaf mice *reacting* to sound stimuli. So at some level it works.

The key (for tinnitus at least) is if these lower-quality ear cells can still generate "good enough" sound input for the brain to say "oh, hey cells. Guess I can go back to quiet until you need me".

 

[newarrior]

I hope it is soon !

 

[PRCRebel]

Rather pessimistic in light of the science that now exists. It's easy to water down potential success before it really has a chance to shine.