Often regarded as a quasi-inevitable consequence of getting older, hearing loss affects a wide range of people. In fact, approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing. Not only does hearing loss frustrate normal daily activities; it can impact social interactions, and is linked with depression, impaired cognitive function, and an increased risk for dementia. Fortunately, research initially conducted at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute is now the basis for a new approach to potentially restore hearing for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, a condition that can be caused by age, noise, viruses, or other events.
