Hearing Health Newsletter: July 2025

Image: A graphical summary of the team’s paper in Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development

What is the potential of gene therapy for preventing noise-induced hearing loss? Emerging Research Grants scientist Megan Beers Wood, Ph.D., and team enhanced a natural cochlear reflex that becomes activated by loud sounds and sends signals to outer hair cells of the inner ear so that they do not overactivate to a damaging degree. They found that the gene therapy treatment boosted this natural hearing protection and made the hair cells more resistant to noise damage, significantly reducing hearing loss from loud noise exposure.

Wood’s 2022–2023 grant was generously funded by our partner Hyperacusis Research, where she is now a scientific adviser.

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Here’s an early look at our Summer issue! If you’re a print subscriber, the magazine will arrive in your mailbox in the next few weeks.


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