Possible new deafness cure could impact on audiologists
Tuesday 18th May 2010
The work of audiologists may be affected by new research concerning a possible deafness cure.
A team from Stanford University has been working on creating specialised ear cells in their lab and they hope to eventually be able to replace the delicate hairs that line the inner ear.
These hairs are responsible for changing vibrations into nerve impulses which are then converted in the brain into sounds.
According to findings published in the journal Cell, scientists have successfully created these cells in mice.
Stefan Heller, who is involved in the project, remarked: "We knew it was really working when we saw them in the electron microscope.
"They looked more or less like they were taken out of the ear."
It is hoped that, if the technique can be applied to humans, it may be possible to conduct transplants within a decade.
According to the NHS, there are nearly nine million hearing impaired people in the UK.
Written by Martin Lambert
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