“Hair cells” are sensory cells located in the inner ear that get their name from their hair-like projections, called “stereocilia.” Hair cells play a critical role in enabling us to hear because they sense sound waves and convert them to electrical signals that are sent to the brain. Unfortunately, once hair cells in the human ear die (due to noise exposure), they do not regenerate, and hearing is lost. However, recent research involving sea anemones (water-dwelling predatory animals named after the flowers) have the ability to regenerate hair cells with a specific protein. When scientists extracted this protein, they found it could regenerate hair cells in mammals, which is a finding that may someday benefit those with acute hearing loss.
P.S. Sea anemones have the miraculous ability to repair themselves after they have been torn in half.
For more information, please call EAR & HEARING CLINIC. Our professionals are among the country’s most experienced hearing care professionals. Our expertise is measured by our commitment to patient satisfaction, continuing education, and the application of current technologies. After the age of 50, a regular hearing test should be considered as important as one’s yearly physical exam. “Hear the Sounds of Life.”
