Juliet England: Would you take a drug for your deafness? New medication trialled

Researchers in London have been testing a new drug that could enhance hearing in those who are hard of hearing or deaf.

But the question is – would deaf people want to take it?

No drugs are currently available to treat hearing loss. Hearing aids and cochlear implants simply amplify soundwaves going into the ear. And, as anyone who uses a CI or hearing aid will know, these devices can be less than effective in noisy environments.

One of the main causes behind hearing loss, not least in later life, is damage to the sensory hearing hair cells in the cochlea. Some 90% of hearing loss falls within this sensorineural category.

And while the loss of hair cells has long been considered irreversible, previous research on animals has found these cells can be regenerated using a small molecular substance called a gamma-secretase inhibitor.

Now researchers at London’s Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and the University College London Ear Institute have joined forces to lead a trial to test a drug in patients with hearing loss. The unique trial is being carried out by a consortium called REGAIN (Regeneration of inner ear hair cells with gamma-secretase inhibitors).

It’s made up of researchers from Holland, Greece, Denmark and Germany, as well as the UK.

Phase 1 of the study took place throughout last year, in which 15 participants with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss received the drug via ear injections to test the drug’s safety and tolerability.

British, German and Greek researchers have now started Phase 2 of the study, which will test the drug in 40 adults, again with mild-to-moderate adult-onset sensorineural hearing loss. They will receive three injections of the drug into the inner ear, via the eardrum.

Phase 2 is set to run throughout this year, and volunteers are still being recruited for it.

The medication works by switching off a receptor in the inner ear which normally prevents regeneration of the hearing hair cells.

Volunteers are aged 18 to 80, have experienced their hearing loss symptoms for less than 20 years, and have the same loss in both ears. All had to either use or have been offered hearing aids.

Professor Shakeel Saeed, of the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and Principal Investigator delivering the trial, told Limping Chicken: “If effective, the drug could have a huge impact on the commonest cause of adult hearing loss, which is related to age.

“It’s hard to say at the moment whether it could be used in cases of a more severe hearing loss. It’s also far too early to say when it could be available on the NHS – it doesn’t even have a name yet.

“Since the trial is still ongoing, I can’t comment on potential side effects, but the fact that we are now in Phase 2 implies initial safety.

“If someone identifies as culturally deaf and prefers not to take a drug to retain that identity, I respect that. This medication simply gives people a choice.”

What do you think?

I carried out a (very unscientific) study of my own via the Deaf not Stupid Facebook group – and got some intriguing replies. The idea of a drug for hearing loss clearly captured the imagination of many.

Group member Heather MacDonald said: “Probably wouldn’t take due to side effects, and deafness isn’t a disease or illness but a difference. However, I guess it depends on the individual.”

Payge Hacking said: “I can’t wait until this becomes available. A lot of people who don’t sign or were raised by hearing parents don’t sign and are locked out from both hearing and deaf culture.”

Ruth Munir described the idea of a drug as ‘amazing’. I’m 35, and have a two-year-old. My hearing is getting worse – I’ve only had it for 10 years after a car accident. So I’m not really part of the deaf community – I don’t sign and my lip-reading is limited. If I could take a drug to restore my hearing, I would in a flash.”

Juliet England is a partially deaf writer.