Cord Blood Stem Cells Tested In Treatment of Hearing Loss

 The potential uses for cord blood stem cells are expanding rapidly. Researchers around the world are finding new ways to use cord blood to treat a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, cerebral palsy and strokes. Now, scientists at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center are working on a way to treat hearing loss using cord blood stem cells.  

The study will be the first of its kind, offering patients that chance to use their own cord blood stem cells to treat hearing loss. After laboratory studies concluded that cord blood could repair damaged cells in the inner ear, scientists have determined that patients could potentially gain their hearing back.  

"Currently, the only treatment options for sensorineural hearing loss are hearing aids or cochlear implants," says principal investigator Dr. Samber Fakhri. "We hope that this study will open avenues to additional treatment options for hearing loss in children." 

Ten children, aged 6 weeks to 18 months, will participate in the study. Each child has sustained post-birth hearing loss. Patients will receive their transplants via IV before being monitored for several hours. If the study is successful, the therapy could be applied to adult patients also suffering from hearing loss.