Sea Anemones' Amazing Healing Abilities, Could Treat Hearing Loss

The scientists discovered that the proteins used by starlet sea anemones have a potential to treat hearing loss by repairing the sound-sensing cells. The proteins in anemones could restore the molecular links that pack the hearing-related hair cells together.

The study was modeled in mice. They found that as the proteins in sea anemones repair their cells, they also repair the sound-sensing cells in mice and other mammals, according to a study printed in the Journal of experimental Biology. The team regenerates the tiny hair-like cells of the sea anemones, which are similar to the sound-sensing hair cells in humans. These cells, which are sometimes exposed to loud noise over a period, will die and usually, never recover. It was discovered that sea anemones have a far superior ability to repair this damage by secreting repair proteins or RPs.

In the study, the researchers tested this theory on experimentally traumatized murine cochlear hair cells like the intentionally deafened mice cells. They discovered that after one-hour incubation in RP-enriched culture media, the hair cells were restored to levels comparable to the healthy control batch, according to Geek.

Glen Watson, a biologist, said that if they could get those hair cells before they commit to dying and treat them, there's a possibility they could reduce hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reported that there are 36 million Americans, who are affected by hearing loss. This is about 17 percent of the adult population.

According to Hearing Loss Association of America, the causes of hearing loss are the malformation of an ear canal, outer ear or middle ear structures, fluid in the middle ear from colds, ear infection, allergies, perforated eardrum, benign tumors, poor Eustachian tube function, and impacted ear wax. It is recommended that you have any of these causes, you must consult an ear doctor right away for treatment.