Seems like the research in the field of stem cells is making progress, this one is regarding the Spiral Ganglion Neurons. I have originally posted this as a reaction on another thread (regeneration of the inner ear), but I notice that some people are bothered by the concentration on 'hair cells'.
I, personally, have no noticeable damage on my audiograms (taken by different ENT's, in and out hospitals). A few weeks ago I read a research paper (I'll post it if I find it back) that this may be possible due to neural damage and that this damage can take several weeks/months to manifest (in contrast, hair cell damage seems to be more instant). Thus, I reckon that this research regarding the SGN regeneration might be interesting for some of us. I myself cope better with the whole ringing and sensitivity by keeping faith in the speed and progression of medical science and I believe that stem cell therapy (or derivatives) is one faithful way.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27021700
2016 May 15
"Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are usually damaged in sensorineural hearing loss. SGN-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) have been identified and proposed to differentiate into neurons to replace damaged SGNs. However, it remains obscure whether SGN-NSC-derived neurons (ScNs) are electrophysiologically functional and possess the capability to form neural connections. Here, we found that SGN-derived cells demonstrated NSC characteristics and differentiated into SGN-like glutamatergic neurons. Neurotrophins significantly increased neuronal differentiation and neurite length of ScNs. Patch clamp recording revealed that ScNs possessed SGN-like NaV and HCN channels, suggesting electrophysiological function. FM1-43 staining and synaptic protein immunofluorescence showed ScNs possess the ability to form neural connections. Astrocyte-conditioned medium was able to stimulate ScNs to express synaptic proteins. These data suggested that neurotrophins are able to stimulate postnatal SGN-NSCs to differentiate into functional glutamatergic ScNs with the capability to form synaptic connections in vitro."
I, personally, have no noticeable damage on my audiograms (taken by different ENT's, in and out hospitals). A few weeks ago I read a research paper (I'll post it if I find it back) that this may be possible due to neural damage and that this damage can take several weeks/months to manifest (in contrast, hair cell damage seems to be more instant). Thus, I reckon that this research regarding the SGN regeneration might be interesting for some of us. I myself cope better with the whole ringing and sensitivity by keeping faith in the speed and progression of medical science and I believe that stem cell therapy (or derivatives) is one faithful way.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27021700
2016 May 15
"Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are usually damaged in sensorineural hearing loss. SGN-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) have been identified and proposed to differentiate into neurons to replace damaged SGNs. However, it remains obscure whether SGN-NSC-derived neurons (ScNs) are electrophysiologically functional and possess the capability to form neural connections. Here, we found that SGN-derived cells demonstrated NSC characteristics and differentiated into SGN-like glutamatergic neurons. Neurotrophins significantly increased neuronal differentiation and neurite length of ScNs. Patch clamp recording revealed that ScNs possessed SGN-like NaV and HCN channels, suggesting electrophysiological function. FM1-43 staining and synaptic protein immunofluorescence showed ScNs possess the ability to form neural connections. Astrocyte-conditioned medium was able to stimulate ScNs to express synaptic proteins. These data suggested that neurotrophins are able to stimulate postnatal SGN-NSCs to differentiate into functional glutamatergic ScNs with the capability to form synaptic connections in vitro."