We’re thrilled to share a thought leadership piece in ENT and Audiology News by our CMO, Professor Doug Hartley, highlighting the crucial role of auditory neurons in the global hearing loss epidemic and the unmet medical need this represents.
Hearing loss affects nearly half a billion people worldwide, with numbers expected to double by 2050 due to ageing populations. Traditionally, the focus has been on hair cell loss in the inner ear. However, emerging research reveals that the decline in auditory neurons is a critical factor, with the rate of loss nearly three times steeper than that of hair cells. By age 60, individuals typically lose half their auditory innervation, increasing to two-thirds by age 90.
Additionally, conditions like auditory neuropathy—characterized by normal hair cell function but impaired auditory nerve signalling—emphasise the importance of addressing neuronal loss in hearing restoration.
At Rinri Therapeutics, we are at the forefront of regenerative medicine with our lead product, Rincell-1, offering a groundbreaking solution for neuronal restoration to those with hearing impairment.
Read the full article to learn more about how we are pioneering a new era in hearing restoration.