Could the health of your microbiome be the key to protecting your hearing? Combining magnetic properties relied on in traditional Chinese medicine with the current understanding of the microbiome, researchers have developed an oral treatment to prevent and repair hearing loss caused by noise exposure. The pioneering research might shake up how we prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Why it matters
This unconventional approach could offer a new way to prevent NIHL, a condition affecting millions worldwide with limited treatment options.
The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) grows as the world becomes noisier from industrialization and urbanization. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are effective treatments for NIHL, but cannot reverse or cure damage to the inner ear and auditory nerves.
The backstory
Traditional Chinese medicine inspired the research. Practitioners have used minerals such as magnetite and hematite for centuries to treat neurological disorders, including hearing loss.
How it works
Chinese scientists combined this ancient practice with nanotechnology to create a targeted treatment, SPIOCA (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle assembly).
- SPIOCA, taken orally, resists degradation by stomach acid because it's coated in an FDA-approved coating agent.
- SPIOCA regulates gut microbiota, maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.
- This balance of bacteria reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in the cochlea.
The bottom line: The study found that orally administered SPIOCA can significantly inhibit inflammatory responses in the cochlea, protecting against noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss.
Illustration of how SPIOCA regulates the microbiota-inner-ear connection for hearing protection.
The takeaway
An unexpected connection between gut health and hearing could change the game for preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
If the findings hold up, maintaining a balanced microbiome could become as important as wearing hearing protection in preventing hearing damage in noisy environments. For many industries, millions of workers would benefit globally.
Learn more about noise-induced hearing loss
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