There’s a nursery rhyme about three blind mice, but none about ones hard of hearing. But if there were, it might have a happier ending — thanks to new research from scientists in England.
According to a new, proof-of-concept study from King’s College London, scientists have successfully reversed hearing loss in mice.
Yes, you heard that correctly — formerly deaf or hard of hearing rodents can hear the sweet sounds of, well, just about anything in a low or midrange frequency now. Researchers bred mice with an inactive gene, then provided them with a unique enzyme at various ages to activate the gene.
After this, their hearing improved.
Researchers found this to be especially effective when the gene was activated at a young age, as the gene activation’s positive effects decreased in strength the longer the scientists waited to introduce the hearing intervention.
Currently, more than 50% of adults in their 70s contend with significant hearing loss, which is linked to an increased probability of experiencing depression and cognitive decline. It’s also a major predictor of dementia. And although hearing aids and devices like cochlear implants are helpful, they do not restore normal hearing function — nor do they halt the progression of hearing loss.
According to the study, there is a significant unmet need for medical interventions that are capable of slowing down hearing loss, let alone reversing it.
Like many studies that begin with mice, the road from the murine ear to the human ear will be a lengthy one. But eventually, we may just hear the sweet sounds of success.