Stem cell healing for damaged hearing: regrowing hair cells and connections
Official title: Developing novel stem cell-based approaches to treat hearing loss
Funded at John D Dingell VA Medical Center · NIH-11310753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using stem cells to try to restore hearing by rebuilding damaged hair cells and their connecting nerves in the inner ear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | John D Dingell VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2017 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX002100-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with sensorineural hearing loss due to damaged hair cells or synapses who may be eligible for future regenerative therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage research may not directly benefit patients until later translational steps and clinical trials are available.
What this research studies
This project aims to create stem cell–derived neurons that can reconnect with hair cells in the inner ear and restore hearing function. The team will study how hair cell synapses form normally in mice and test a new stem cell approach to reinnervate hair cells with SGN-like neurons. They will investigate molecular signals, such as EphrinB and EphB interactions, that guide this reinnervation. The work builds on prior progress in hair cell regeneration and addresses the gap in functional synapse formation between stem cell–derived neurons and hair cells. If successful, this could pave the way for regenerative therapies for certain types of hearing loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to stem cell–based therapies that restore hearing by repairing hair cells and their neural connections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown partial regeneration of hair cells, with limited evidence of fully functional synapses; this project seeks to advance that functionality.
Where this research is happening
-
John D Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Zhengqing — John D Dingell VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hu, Zhengqing
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.