How Hearing Works: Hair Cells and Neurons

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Hearing loss affects 1 in 5 people globally, increases the risk of developing dementia, and has no cure. 

An astonishing half a billion people have hearing loss, which impacts their ability to communicate and connect with others. Hearing loss cases are increasing fast, especially among younger people. 

For many, hearing aids and cochlear implants can be life-changing, but they can’t help everyone. But there is hope:

Scientists around the world have been working tirelessly to develop NEW treatments for hearing loss. 

In this episode, Jonathan speaks to Dr. Marcelo Rivolta, a professor of sensory stem cell biology at Sheffield University. 

He’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough that could mean hearing loss becomes a thing of the past. 

What you’ll learn:

• Why hearing loss is becoming more common

• The shocking link between hearing loss and a 500% increased risk of dementia

• How modern headphones and loud concerts cause permanent, irreversible damage

• Why hearing loss can be more isolating than blindness

• The simple ways you can protect your hearing today

• How current technologies like hearing aids and cochlear implants work

• About the groundbreaking new science that could cure deafness using stem cells

About Marcelo Rivolta

Marcelo Rivolta is a Professor of Sensory Stem Cell Biology at the University of Sheffield. For over two decades, his research has focused on the use of human stem cells for the understanding and treatment of hearing loss. His lab was the first to demonstrate that it was possible to create both auditory hair cells and neurons from stem cells, and his pioneering work is now moving towards clinical trials in humans.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction 

00:26 Does hearing loss only affect older adults?

03:37 Is permanent hearing loss reversible?

06:03 At what volume do headphones start to cause hearing loss?

08:26 Why hearing loss is more isolating than blindness

09:41 The shocking link between hearing loss and dementia

12:00 Can hearing aids reduce your dementia risk?

13:13 How do we hear? A simple explanation

15:15 Why is your microphone just like your ear?

18:07 What goes wrong in your ear to cause hearing loss?

19:20 The cells in your body you’re born with that have to last a lifetime

20:51 Why does loud noise cause irreversible damage?

23:15 Do hearing aids solve hearing loss for everybody?

24:08 The difference between a hearing aid and a cochlear implant

26:20 Is the hearing from a cochlear implant natural?

32:25 Can we find a cure for hearing loss?

34:15 Using stem cells to create new hearing cells

37:32 Can we reverse deafness? Groundbreaking study in animals

38:45 When will a cure for hearing loss be available?

42:25 What is auditory neuropathy?

45:06 What is tinnitus and could this research cure it?

46:46 Top tips to protect your hearing

50:03 Jonathan's summary

Information about the Rincell-1 clinical trial, such as patient eligibility and other related aspects, is available at https://www.rinri-therapeutics.com/our-clinical-research/#rincell

For further details, please contact enquiries@rinri-therapeutics.com

Episode transcripts are available here: https://zoe.com/learn/category/podcast