Can you hear me now? New strategy discovered to prevent hearing loss
Friday, July 6, 2012 - 14:00
in Health & Medicine
Concerned about hearing loss because of noise exposure? New research may help. Scientists show that AMPK activates a channel protein in the cell membrane allowing potassium to leave the cell. This protects inner ear sensory cells from permanent damage following acoustic noise exposure. This may result in therapies to treat trauma resulting from extreme noise, especially in people with AMPK gene variants that may make them more vulnerable.