Pharmacological Approaches to Hearing Loss.

Abstract

Hearing disorders pose significant challenges to individuals suffering them and their overall quality of life, emphasizing the critical need for advanced pharmacological approaches to address these conditions. Current treatment options often focus on amplification devices, cochlear implants, or other rehabilitative therapies, leaving a substantial gap in effective pharmacological interventions. Advancements in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in hearing disorders induced by noise, aging and ototoxicity have opened new avenues for drug development, some of which have led to a number of clinical trials with promising results. Development of optimal drug delivery solutions in animals and humans can also help enhance the targeted delivery of medications to the ear. Moreover, large genome studies contributing to genetic understanding of hearing loss in humans combined with advanced molecular technologies in animal studies have shown a great potential to increase our understanding of the etiologies of hearing loss. The auditory system exhibits circadian rhythms and temporal variations in its physiology, its vulnerability to auditory insults, and its responsiveness to drug treatments. The cochlear clock rhythms are under the control of the glucocorticoid system and has led to pre-clinical evidence suggesting that the risk/benefit profile of hearing disorder treatments using chronopharmacological approaches. If translatable to the bedside, such approaches may improve the outcome of clinical trials. Ongoing research into the molecular and genetic basis of auditory disorders, coupled with advancements in drug formulation and delivery, as well as optimized timing of drug administration, holds great promise of more effective treatments. Significance Statement Hearing disorders pose significant challenges to individuals and their overall quality of life, emphasizing the critical need for advanced pharmacological approaches to address these conditions. Ongoing research into the molecular and genetic basis of auditory disorders, coupled with advancements in drug delivery procedures, and optimized timing of drug administration, holds the promise of more effective treatments.