Stem cell research paves way for deafness cure

STEM cell scientists have created inner ear sensory cells in the laboratory, paving the way to a cure for permanent deafness.

The work holds out the prospect of regenerating the sensitive hair cells that turn sound vibrations into nerve signals.

Humans are born with 30,000 hair cells in each ear. When the cells are lost or damaged – possibly due to excessively loud noise – it can lead to permanent hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).