Can Stem Cell Therapy Help with Hearing Loss?
Did you know that over 30 million people over the age of 12 in the U.S. have bilateral hearing loss? That’s one out of every 8 adults and teenagers!
The causes of hearing loss are varied. Genetics plays a role for some patients, while environmental factors are often the culprit. A genetic predisposition for hearing loss coupled with an environmental stressor might be just enough to push you over the edge into life-altering hearing loss. Primary causes of hearing loss include:
- Prolonged exposure to high volume noises
- Injury
- Ménière’s disease
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Inner ear infections
- Aging
- Genetics
If you’re dealing with hearing loss, you likely realize what a struggle it is to just do everyday activities, like ordering food at a drive-thru or crossing a parking lot. While hearing aids provide some relief, they cannot reverse hearing loss or slow its progression.
So, how does stem cell therapy benefit hearing loss patients? Research on the topic is still in its infancy, however, study results so far are quite promising.
Hearing is largely affected by cochlear hair cells. Over 25,000 of these cells exist in each ear, picking up the tiniest changes in pressure or vibrations, then sending that information off to the brain for processing. When these cells become damaged, hearing is affected.
Stem cell therapy focuses primarily on regenerating new cochlear hair cells and repairing damaged ones. During stem cell therapy for hearing loss, the patient’s own stem cells are harvested (usually from peripheral blood vessels or fat tissue) and prepared into an infusion or injection. The patient is then administered the prepared stem cells, which travel all over the cochlea and inner ear. As they cover the area, these stem cells will identify areas of damage and differentiate into the exact type of cell needed for repair or replacement. When this happens to the cochlear hair cells, hearing loss is reversed and assistive hearing devices are often no longer needed.
Are you ready to improve your hearing, regardless of its cause? Regenerative medicine treatments, like stem cell therapy for hearing loss, are taking the medical community by storm as safe, effective, and sustainable ways to treat common issues! From reducing pain to encouraging tissue repair to improving hearing, stem cell therapy has already shown a host of benefits with minimal side effects. Find a stem cell therapy practitioner near you with the convenient search tool at www.regenerativemedicinenow.com.
