A causative gene for a highly common type of hearing loss—sensorineural hearing loss, or SNHL—has been identified by a group of Japanese researchers, who report they have successfully replicated the condition using a transgenic mouse. This discovery could potentially be used to develop new treatments for hearing loss.
The gene identified in this study is related to actin…[which] plays an important function in the formation and maintenance of auditory hair and inner ear hair cells.
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One infant in every 1,000 is diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, making it an extremely common hereditary disease. It is also estimated that 25-40% of people over age 65 suffer from acquired sensorineural hearing loss
Development of a cure or treatments for sensorineural hearing loss have been slow.primarily because the inner ear is a delicate and complex sensory organ that is difficult to research…Currently there is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss, and using a hearing aid is still the most effective treatment.
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