Stem cells therapy for sensorineural hearing loss

There is no traditional treatment that re-establishes auditory function. Regenerative therapies using stem cells represent a promising alternative.

Differentiation of stem cells into hair cells and auditory neurons has a high success rate, reaching up to 82% for the first and 100% for the latter. Remarkably, these differentiated cells are able to interact with hair cells and auditory neurons of cochlear explants through formation of new synapses.

Advances have been more prominent in cases of auditory neuropathy, since partial improvement of auditory nerve conditions through cell-based therapy may increase the number of patients