Breakthrough towards hearing loss drug

Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, have discovered a drug that repairs hearing after damage caused by loud noise.

Until now, exposure to loud noise has led to permanent hearing loss. However, the researchers have shown that if treated with a compound called ‘ADAC’ after noise damage, hearing recovered substantially. The scientists found that a five day treatment of daily injections starting six hours after noise exposure were most effective. Single treatments were less effective but also resulted in some hearing recovery. The drug is thought to work by increasing the sensory hair cell’s ability to break down the damaging waste products, which build up during noise exposure.

This study presents the most effective pharmacological strategy to date for reducing noise-induced hearing loss after exposure to damaging noise. If clinical trials prove successful, this research could mean that, in future, people who are exposed to loud noise and risk damage could be administered a drug to stop the hearing loss becoming permanent.