Sound Return

Researchers from the University of Auckland have discovered a potent new drug which once injected into the inner ear could reverse hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. The chemical agent ‘ADAC’ 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. Lead researcher Dr Srdjan Vlajkovic and his team injected the chemical into rats which had been exposed to loud noise. Dr Vlajkovic said: “To our knowledge, this study presents the most effective pharmacological strategy to date for reducing noise-induced hearing loss after exposure to damaging noise. We now hope to test its effectiveness in humans and are currently seeking industry partners to move this to clinical trials.”