Taking a bite of an apple is considered a healthy choice. But have you ever thought about putting in earplugs before your favourite band takes the stage? Just like your future body will thank you for the apple, your future ears (specifically your cochlear hair cells) will thank you for protecting them.
Hair cells are specialized cells in the inner ear responsible for detecting sound waves and translating them into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. These cells are called “hair cells” because they are shaped like tiny hairs, with a bundle of stereocilia (microscopic hair-like structures) on top that moves in response to sound vibrations. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the stereocilia on the hair cells to bend, which triggers the release of chemicals that stimulate the hair cells and send electrical signals to the brain via the auditory nerve. The brain then interprets these signals as sound.
However, hair cells are delicate and can be easily damaged or destroyed by loud noises, infections, certain medications, and aging. Unlike many other cells in the body, hair cells cannot regenerate once lost or damaged, leading to permanent hearing loss.
People who have repeated exposure to loud noises, like military personnel, construction workers, and musicians, are most at risk for this type of hearing loss. But it can happen to anyone over time (even concertgoers). That’s why protecting your ears from loud noises, such as concerts, construction sites, and other noisy environments, is essential. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause irreversible damage to hair cells, leading to hearing loss and other hearing-related problems.
The good news is that researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience are getting closer to identifying the mechanisms that may promote the regeneration of these hair cells in mammals. A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience sheds light on the potential for new developments in regenerating mammal cochlear hair cells.
The study showed that the growth gene ERBB2 pathway triggered a cascading series of cellular events by which cochlear support cells multiply and activate other neighbouring stem cells to become new sensory hair cells. The latest development is a significant advancement toward generating new mammal cochlear hair cells.
“We plan to investigate this phenomenon from a mechanistic perspective further to determine whether it can improve auditory function after damage in mammals. That is the ultimate goal,” said Patricia White, PhD, professor of Neuroscience and Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
The potential for new developments in regenerating cochlear hair cells in mammals is exciting news for those at risk of hearing loss due to repeated exposure to loud noises. While protecting your ears from loud noises is essential, this research may offer hope for those who have already experienced damage to their hair cells.
Although this recent discovery in hair cell regeneration is truly exciting, this is your reminder that while we wait for science to advance – protecting your hearing is a proactive step you can take to ensure good hearing health for years to come.
At Lakeside Hearing, we are experienced in custom ear molds and ear plugs to protect your ears from noisy work environments, concerts and more. Contact us today!
