The first drugs to treat hearing conditions could be available as soon as 2020, according to a new report published today by charity Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) entitled Hearing Progress.
The first-in-kind treatments strive to help alleviate some types of tinnitus, reduce hearing loss associated with loud noise exposure, middle ear infections and counter specific anti-cancer drugs that cause hearing loss.
Five drugs are currently in final stages of clinical testing while another thirteen are in the early stages of clinical development.
Paul Breckell, chief executive at Action on Hearing Loss, commented: “Remarkable progress has been made bringing us to a point where there are a number of promising new treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus being clinically tested. We’re about to enter a new exciting era where people confronting hearing loss won’t just be limited to hearing aids and cochlear implants – drug treatments are within touching distance.
“Currently 10 million people in the UK have a hearing loss, which will increase to 14.5 million by 2031. As we’re experiencing now with dementia, hearing loss is a potential public health crisis, so we will continue to fund research into new treatments.”
The Hearing Progress report highlights the significant advancements made by the charity over the last 15 years as it works towards finding treatments to protect and restore hearing, silence tinnitus and improve modern technology.