Molecular Remodeling of Tip Links Underlies Mechanosensory Regeneration in Auditory Hair Cells

[Hudson]

Hey all,

I had seen this posted on another site. I thought I would make a thread here for our members to check it out. This research has to do with the very fragile protein tip links that form between neighboring hair cells. Pretty interesting stuff.



http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/16426/20130611/ear-cells-regeneration-hearing-loss-cure.htm

The scientific paper for those who care to read it:

http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001583

 

[James White]

I also think this is encouraging research, thanks for the interesting read Hudson.

 

[t-man]

Awesome, more scientific discoveries the private sector will ignore when funding their own research.

 

[jazz]

Hudson: Great find! It explains why tinnitus is transient for most people--only the "tips" are injured, which are able to repair themselves.

And it's notable this was funded by the NIH's NIDCD. Private industry is very selective what types of basic research they will fund. And hearing-related disorders, including tinnitus--have not been high on that list. Instead, the government and research groups (TRI, ATA) have lead these efforts. This is another reason why we need to support the TRI, which allocates public donations solely or primarily to funding research, including basic science studies.

 

[markoana]

Nice, but it does not seem to be in close future...

Hearing aids industry is very strong, if regenaration become possible, they will lose millions and millions $ yearly...

 

[Hudson]

I think the real question is will they diversify into the new field, or allow themselves to perish as their technology becomes more and more irrelevant?

 

[t-man]

I think the real question is will they diversify into the new field, or allow themselves to perish as their technology becomes more and more irrelevant?

Neither, they'll simply refuse to fund, persuade researchers to pursue other fields, or even persuade public officials to apply roadblocks.

 

[Hudson]

Neither, they'll simply refuse to fund, persuade researchers to pursue other fields, or even persuade public officials to apply roadblocks.

What's more likely... a giant conspiracy within the hearing aid industry or the forces of the free market working?



I don't think your worries are anything to be concerned about. It isn't new for companies to have to diversify when their bread and butter is becoming outdated.

 

[markoana]

But what can Windex and Oticon do afterthat? They have more than 10.000 Employees, pair of their H. aids can cost up to 15.000$, bigg money and high level of profit is in the game! So, I suppose they are highly interested in slow progres of ear regeneration in future decades.... I am not pesimistic, just realistic... :/

 

[Bob R]

I have to agree with markoana. The best hope for a cure or treatment will come from the NIH, not from any private group.

 

[Dhaval]

Wow I read this ....even d paper....it's fantastic research.....hope something comes of it....us tinnitus sufferers would really benefit...especially those with hearing loss....but I don't quite know how it would benefit people with no hearing loss or measurable any way....but it's really really good. I had read stemcell therapy for regeneration but dat seemed years out...this looks a lot more promising

 

[yonkapin]

That is very cool! Nice find.

 

[jes]

Perhaps its the tiplinks and not the hair cells that makes the t. I don't really understand the second article, jes

 

[Per]

It is really frustrating not knowing what causes the T when I read this stuff, cause if I don't have any hearing loss then what's the cause of my T?! It's almost as T with no hearing loss is a forgotten case alltough I've read that it's very common. Perhaps all T sufferers without hearing loss has a loss in hearing after all? A loss that we haven't been able to identify.

More "why do I have T speculations" - yet again. Drives me mad.

 

[t-man]

It is really frustrating not knowing what causes the T when I read this stuff, cause if I don't have any hearing loss then what's the cause of my T?!

You can still have hearing loss, just not significant enough to be detectable?

Where did you get tested? Most tests only go up to a lousy 12K. The human ear can hear up 20K.

 

[Per]

@t-man,

I haven't been tested at an audiologist yet. I only did an ENT hearing test, so I can have a hearing loss at other frequencies. Perhaps a very high frequency, but I don't know before I get it tested with more specialised equipment.