Stanford University School of Engineering - The future of hearing loss
The conversation with Dr. Tina Stankovic from Stanford University explores the current state and future of hearing loss treatment. Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people globally, yet there are no cures, only devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants. New technologies, including AI and stem cells, offer hope. AI helps identify significant genetic mutations related to hearing loss, while stem cells allow for the creation of inner ear cells for research. High-resolution imaging and gene therapy are also promising. Prevention is crucial, with recommendations to avoid loud noises and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Paul Simon's involvement highlights the social impact and stigma of hearing loss, emphasizing the need for awareness and funding.
Key Points:
- AI and stem cells are key to future hearing loss treatments, offering new ways to understand and potentially cure the condition.
- Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people worldwide, with no current biological cures, only devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants.
- Prevention is critical: avoid loud noises, use ear protection, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect hearing.
- AI can analyze genetic data to identify significant mutations, aiding in precise diagnosis of hearing loss causes.
- Paul Simon's advocacy highlights the social stigma of hearing loss and the need for increased awareness and funding.
Details:
1. đī¸ Welcome to The Future of Everything
1.1. Introduction to The Future of Everything
1.2. Audience Engagement
2. đ Hope for Hearing Loss: AI and Stem Cells
- Hearing loss affects over 466 million people worldwide, representing one of the most prevalent disabilities.
- AI technology is being used to develop more precise hearing aids that adapt to individual sound environments, improving user experience.
- Stem cell research has made promising strides, with researchers successfully regenerating hair cells in the inner ear of animal models, potentially restoring hearing.
- AI is also utilized in diagnostics, offering rapid and accurate hearing loss assessments that can be personalized for better treatment planning.
- The combination of AI and stem cells could lead to groundbreaking therapies, including regenerative medicine approaches to replace damaged auditory cells.
3. đ The Global Burden of Hearing Loss
3.1. Global Impact of Hearing Loss
3.2. National Impact of Hearing Loss
4. đ§Ŧ Advances in Treatment: Stem Cells and AI
4.1. Stem Cells in Hearing Loss Treatment
4.2. AI in Hearing Loss Treatment
5. đļ Tina Stankovic's Passion for Hearing Research
- Tina Stankovic is a Professor of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery at Stanford University, focusing on understanding and preventing hearing loss.
- She explores new diagnostic and treatment methods for hearing loss, leveraging advances in AI and stem cells to enhance understanding and prevention of ear damage.
- Her interest in hearing research was inspired by her love of music and personal engagement with playing the piano.
- Stankovic's academic journey includes undergraduate and PhD studies at MIT, followed by medical school, residency, fellowship, and a faculty position at Harvard.
6. đ Current Hearing Loss Treatments
- Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people globally, equating to one in six individuals, highlighting a significant global health issue.
- Currently, there are no cures for hearing loss, and treatments are limited to devices, which highlights the need for innovation in this field.
- The primary devices available are hearing aids, suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, and cochlear implants, used for severe to profound loss, yet both have limitations such as cost, accessibility, and adaptability to different environments.
- As of 2025, there are no biological therapies or FDA-approved drugs for hearing loss, indicating a gap in medical treatment options.
- Challenges with current devices include high costs, limited insurance coverage, maintenance needs, and varying effectiveness based on individual conditions and environmental factors.
- Research is ongoing to explore potential future treatments, including gene therapy and regenerative medicine, which could revolutionize the approach to hearing loss.
7. đĻģ Causes and Types of Hearing Loss
7.1. Drug Approved for Hearing Protection
7.2. Understanding Causes of Hearing Loss
7.3. Conductive Hearing Loss Explained
7.4. Sensorineural Hearing Loss Challenges
8. đ Diagnostic Challenges in Hearing Loss
- Biopsy of the inner ear is not possible, requiring alternative diagnostic methods such as functional capacity assessments and hearing tests.
- The inner ear's small size (comparable to Lincoln's upper face on a penny) and complexity (over 30 cell types and 140 microliters of fluid) pose significant challenges to diagnosis and treatment.
- Technological advancements, including manual and robotic-assisted techniques, are used for cochlear implant insertion, directly stimulating the auditory nerve to restore hearing.
- Diagnostic practices are evolving with technology, providing more precise and less invasive options for assessing and addressing hearing loss.
9. đŦ Innovations in Hearing Research
- Tinnitus is primarily related to hearing loss, commonly caused by exposure to loud noise.
- Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most frequent disability claims among veterans.
- Tinnitus is considered a phantom sound produced by the brain due to inner ear injury.
- Cochlear implantation improves tinnitus in 75% of patients, completely eliminating it in 10% of cases.
- Restoring and rehabilitating the inner ear can lead to the brain recalibrating, potentially resolving tinnitus.
10. đ§ Stem Cell and AI Breakthroughs
10.1. Stem Cell Advances and Challenges
10.2. Role of AI in Stem Cell Research
11. đ˛ Collaborative Efforts at Stanford
11.1. AI and Technology Collaborations
11.2. Medical Advancements
12. đŦ Tackling Technical Challenges
- The group includes more than 100 researchers with expertise in fields such as stem cell biology, regeneration, genetics, drug design, mathematics, and computational modeling.
- The team operates within a broader ecosystem that spans Silicon Valley, nationally, and internationally, emphasizing collaboration.
- The redwood trees analogy highlights the importance of support and collaboration, likening the researchers' network to the interconnected root systems of redwoods, which help them withstand challenges.
- Collaboration is essential in accelerating progress in hearing therapies and cures, with efforts coordinated at Stanford and beyond.
13. đ¤ AI's Role in Genetic Hearing Loss Research
13.1. Stem Cells and Cochlear Environment
13.2. Unique Characteristics of Inner Ear
13.3. Technological Advancements in Ear Research
13.4. AI's Impact on Genetic Hearing Loss Diagnosis
14. đ Regeneration Research and Future Directions
14.1. Genetic Variant Analysis
14.2. Hearing Regeneration in Humans
14.3. Regeneration Pathways in Animals
14.4. Human Inner Ear Regeneration Discovery
15. đĨ Emotional and Social Impacts of Hearing Loss
15.1. Emotional Impacts of Hearing Loss
15.2. Social Impacts of Hearing Loss
15.3. Coping Strategies and Examples
16. đ¤ Paul Simon's Advocacy for Hearing Research
16.1. Support for Late-Onset Hearing Loss
16.2. Cultural Perspectives on Deafness
16.3. Paul Simon's Advocacy and Impact
17. đĄī¸ Protecting Your Hearing: Tips and Lifestyle
17.1. Hearing Protection Measures
17.2. Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
17.3. Medication Awareness
18. đģ Conclusion and Listener Engagement
- The podcast has over 250 episodes available for listeners, covering a wide variety of topics.
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- The host, Russ Altman, can be connected with on multiple social media platforms including LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon under the handles @rbaltman, @russaltman, or @russbaltman.
- Stanford Engineering can also be followed on social media platforms under the handle @stanfordeng or Stanford School of Engineering.