The trial has started on time!
This study aims to regenerate auditory neurons, also known as spiral ganglion neurons, in individuals with auditory neuropathy. Tinnitus Talk interviewed Professor Marcelo Rivolta back in 2019, and I believe it was one of their first podcasts. Now, six years later, the clinical trial is finally underway.
The team has strong preclinical data from animal studies in gerbils. Professor Rivolta noted at the time that using this animal model was important because gerbils have hearing systems that closely resemble those of humans.
If the results translate successfully from animals to humans, patients with profound deafness could potentially regain the ability to engage in natural human conversations.
That said, it's important to remember that there is currently no evidence of success in humans, and no previous trials have yet achieved this goal.
Clinical Trial Page