hearing | MY SPECIAL DOCTOR

Regaining hearing may be possible by reproducing mechanisms found in birds

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Humans are unable to reverse the effects of hearing loss, but a biological process identified in other animal species may offer an unexpected way to address this widespread problem.

Advancing age or excessive exposure to loud noises can damage the cochlea, a component of the inner ear, causing permanent hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization, a reduction, more or less severe, in hearing affects more than 400 million people worldwide today. Traditional treatment involves the use of hearing aids, the effectiveness of which is highly dependent on the individual.

But scientists have long known that animals such as fish and birds are able to keep their hearing intact by regenerating sensory cells in the cochlea-in fact, mammals are the only vertebrates that are unable to do so.

Back in 2012, Patricia White of the University of Rochester identified a group of receptors responsible for the regeneration process that can activate supporting cells in the auditory system of birds: they called them epidermal growth factor, or Egf. These supporting cells then activate the production of new sensory hair cells.

Now, in a new study that has been published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, Dr. White explains that she has begun a series of experiments to recreate this process in mammals. “The process of hearing repair ,” said the researcher. – is a complex problem and requires a series of cellular events. Sensory cilia cells in the ear need to be regenerated, and these cells need to function properly and connect with the corresponding network of neurons. Our research has identified a signaling pathway that can be activated by different methods and could represent a new approach to cochlear regeneration and, ultimately, hearing restoration.”

NEW YEAR’S YEAR’S BOTTLE: danger of acoustic trauma

24 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

The year 2017 is now drawing to a close and we are about to say goodbye as we look forward to a new year. This holiday season, traditions take center stage: dinner parties, gifts, markets and more enliven our days. Among them, however, is a spectacular custom that is widely spread around the world and keeps millions of people’s noses in the air each year. We are talking, of course, about fireworks. It is an unfailing “ritual” with which we bid farewell to the old year and prepare for the coming one. Unfortunately, however, more and more citizens are trying their hand at this “art” in a manner that is reckless, illegal and almost always dangerous to their own and others’ safety.

There is, of course, a necessary premise to be made. This article exclusively condemns individuals who abuse fireworks, firecrackers and any other explosives without, however, having the proper permits to do so and without possessing the skills to ensure an entertaining but, above all, safe show.

Mind your eardrums

After every New Year’s Eve, unfortunately, as we learn from TV, newspapers and the Internet, the number of people injured by firecrackers is always very high, and deaths also often occur due to the violent and uncontrolled “clandestine” explosions. But the most widespread danger for those who try their hand, without the proper skills, at putting on a fireworks display is acoustic trauma. In fact, even a single bang exploded at close range can cause significant damage to the auditory system, such as tinnitus and, at worst, hearing loss. In fact, according to Professor Gaetano Paludetti, director of the department of otolaryngology at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome, “A firecracker explosion can also lead to perforation of the eardrum.” And it is a risk not related to the age of the subject in fact “when it comes to the tympanic membrane and more generally to the ear adults and children run the same dangers: acoustic sensorineural trauma can cause permanent damage.”

This is a risk that it would be better not to take especially because “hearing loss is not curable,” Prof. Paludetti later added, “one can protect the ear from further damage, but when the injury is there it remains. For this reason, the use of firecrackers, explosives and any other type of New Year’s Eve “bangers” is absolutely prohibited, which could prove to be highly dangerous to the safety of those using them and those in close proximity. For this reason, again this year, as has been the case for many years, law enforcement controls will be increasingly scrupulous to prevent the occurrence of illegal explosions and avoid injuries or casualties.

Regaining hearing lost with age may be possible

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Hearing loss due to old age impacts many people and often finds its cause in the depletion of those sensory receptors known as hair cells. At birth there are about 15,500, but they do not regenerate over time. Loud noises, infections, toxins, and the natural aging process damage them, which can lead to hearing loss.

However, researchers may now have found a way to regenerate them. In a study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, a team coordinated by Patricia White of the University of Rochester in upstate New York has shown that it is possible to regrow hair cells in the cochlea of mice. This major breakthrough was made possible through the study of birds, whose bodies are capable of regrowing these cells, as is the case for other vertebrates, but not of mammals.

“From this point of view,” says Jingyuan Zhang, co-author of the study, “ mammals are an extravagant exception in the animal kingdom when it comes to cochlear regeneration.

As early as 2012, Patricia White found that hair cell generation is promoted by neighboring cells; in birds, it is a family of receptors called epidermal growth factor (EGF) that activates supporting cells. In mammals this signal is blocked, so the researchers looked for a way to turn it on temporarily.

They tried three different methods, all focused on a specific receptor called ERBB2, which is found in the supporting cells within the cochlea, and finally succeeded in reactivating it and achieving the desired effect. ERBB2 stimulated the supporting cells, and as they began to multiply, neighboring stem cells transformed into new sensory hair cells. In addition, hair cells naturally integrated with nerve cells. This is a crucial step without which regaining hearing would not be possible.

“The process of hearing repair ,” explains Patricia White. is a complex problem and requires a series of cellular events; regeneration of sensory hair cells is necessary and that these cells function properly, connecting with the network of neurons. This research could represent a new approach to cochlear regeneration and ultimately to hearing restoration.”

Zhang J, Wang Q, Abdul-Aziz D, Mattiacio J, Edge ASB, White PM. ERBB2 signaling drives supporting cell proliferation in vitro and apparent supernumerary hair cell formation in vivo in the neonatal mouse cochlea. Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep 30.

The enemies of hearing and how to defend yourself

15 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

Especially in the beginning, noticing that hearing is declining is difficult, constantly immersed as we are in noise of all sorts, because ear and brain gradually “get used” to hearing less. When we start thinking that we have some hearing problem, generally, the deficit is already significant, to the point where a device is needed electronics in order to regain sufficient functionality. But why the auditory system deteriorates and how to prevent it from happening? Find out here .

Situations to avoid to protect hearing

14 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

The five senses, namely sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, are our window to the world: they allow us to perceive what lies beyond the boundaries of our bodies and to actively interact with our surroundings, in a simple and straightforward way. When everything works well, we don’t always realizes their importance, but when one of them is compromised so significant the problems begin. Therefore, as far as possible, it is important to preventing damage to the organs of sensation and the nerve structures that connect with the brain. In the case of hearing, for example, it is good to avoid these risk factors . Listen to the advice!