Protective mechanism that works against age related hearing loss

A group of researchers have created a new mouse model in which a gene expression in the inner ear hair cells protect the mice from age related hearing loss as well as noise induced hearing loss. This research has potential for future molecular approaches to treat age related hearing loss and noise induced hearing loss. This treatment may include gene therapy or medicine. One third of people above the age of 64 have ARHL and that number doubles in the above 85 age group. NIHL is an occupational injury and is a very common complaint. The loss of the outer cells of the inner ear is the reason behind both kinds of hearing problems. And there is no cure for these conditions. Researchers tried to see if there is one mechanism that is shared by both types of hearing loss. They found that Isl1 expression protected hair cells from degeneration in aging and promoted hair cell survival after exposure to loud noise.