New research breakthrough

[Esperanza]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19570024

[Jim Scott]

I don't mean to be discouraging and perhaps I'm misinformed but I understood that in AN patients, the 'mechanics' of the ear are fine (mine are, anyway) but the acoustic (8th cranial) nerve that transmits sound (that enters the ear) to the brain is damaged and so, we are unable to hear in that ear.  This breakthrough, which, the article states is a long way from helping humans who are deaf from inner ear damage, seems to hold out hope for possible inner ear damage repair but does not affect the acoustic nerve, which is where the problem lies for AN patients.

Jim

[producer]

Hi Jim,  the article actually states that thats exactly what they were able to re-build! The hearing nerve.

"..Hearing partially improved when nerves in the ear, which pass sounds into the brain, were rebuilt in gerbils.."

Theyre in fact stating that its harder to rebuild hair-cells but its definitely the acoustic nerve that they succeeded in regenerating which is absolutely amazing news.

"..While there is excitement at the prospect of using stem cells to restore nerves in the ear this exact technique will not help the vast, vast majority of people with hearing loss.."


Auditory nerve regenaration has been an ongoing goal for various research groups including the esteemed University of Melbourne

http://www.medoto.unimelb.edu.au/research/hearing_preservation/stem_cells_and_regeneration



I personally feel confident in sayin its not a matter of if  but a matter of when they'll achieve this although ofocurse its still many years away id imagine.  .




many thanks for posting Esperanza...



chris

[producer]

Heres a report on this



chris




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19580117