The timeline predictions on the cure for hearing loss

In a recent news about stem cells that were made grow into ear hair cells in mouse got me thinking on the scientists/researchers attempt to predict when a cure or treatment for hearing loss in humans would take place. Ever since the discovery of birds' ability to regrow and restore their own hearing loss in 1986 researchers have used the terms "decades away" on when an application for hearing loss restoration may take place. In this recent news it was quoted that a possible cure could be at least a decade away noting that people who already benefit from hearing aids would be the most likely targeted group. But lets go back in time on how these predictions changed over time.

In 2004 it was predicted that an application for hearing loss rather than a cure could be at least twenty years away by Dr. Rubel. In another article in 2004 Dr. Rivolta said a cure could be possible in 10 to 15 years away. In 2009 in the Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Ear Institute's newsletter quoted believing they could be 10 years away from a cure at the earliest possible timeline. But most seem to concur that a cure or a very applicable treatment for hearing loss would be seen within their (the scientists') lifetime.

Often times these revelations on stem cells discoveries on hearing loss are made in jumps rather than something that unfolds smoothly over time. Once discoveries or breakthroughs are published in scientific journals researchers from all over the world pour over the data and details and apply the discovered knowledge to theirs. And thus increasing the likelihood of another jump in evolutionary discovery on the path for the cure or restoration of hearing loss in humans. The revelation in this latest news out of California was about the fact that when the bundles of lab grown ear hair cells were mechanically stimulated or moved mimicking how sound moves ear hair cells, the cells were able to generate electrical currents that resemble those produced by young hair cells. It was not simply growing ear hair cells but seeing that the electro-mechanical qualities and properties in a lab grown ear hair cells worked.

It'd be wise to take the word "cure" loosely and see it from a restorative/treatment point of view in the very near future. But then again, with scientists and researchers from all over the world working on the cure for hearing loss, a cure could be very well within our grasp a lot more sooner rather than later.