Cochlear Implants and Inner Ear Based Therapy

Hearing loss resulting from hair cell damage is irreversible because the human ear is incapable of regenerating or repairing sensory elements following severe injury. Moreover, hair cell loss leads to secondary degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons. cochlear implantation is a recognized treatment for adults and children with severe to profound cochlear hearing loss. Improvements in nanotechnologies and progress in inner ear regeneration research may facilitate the development of devices such as cochlear implants combined with local drug/gene devices or stem cell therapy. New devices could improve patient auditory performance by inducing cellular/neuronal protection and/or regeneration/resprouting and by promoting cochlear regeneration.