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Updated: May 6, 2026
Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
Sound preconditioning therapy inhibits ototoxic hearing loss in mice
Abstract:
Therapeutic drugs with ototoxic side effects cause significant hearing loss for thousands of patients annually. Two major classes of ototoxic drugs are cisplatin and the aminoglycoside antibiotics, both of which are toxic to mechanosensory hair cells, the receptor cells of the inner ear. A critical need exists for therapies that protect the inner ear without inhibiting the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. The induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) inhibits both aminoglycoside- and cisplatin-induced hair cell death and hearing loss. We hypothesized that exposure to sound that is titrated to stress the inner ear without causing permanent damage would induce HSPs in the cochlea and inhibit ototoxic drug–induced hearing loss. We developed a sound exposure protocol that induces HSPs without causing permanent hearing loss. We used this protocol in conjunction with a newly developed mouse model of cisplatin ototoxicity and found that preconditioning mouse inner ears with sound has a robust protective effect against cisplatin-induced hearing loss and hair cell death. Sound therapy also provided protection against aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. These data indicate that sound preconditioning protects against both classes of ototoxic drugs, and they suggest that sound therapy holds promise for preventing hearing loss in patients receiving these drugs.
Insights
Sound therapy can protect against hearing loss caused by ototoxic drugs like cisplatin and aminoglycosides. This novel approach induces heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the inner ear, preventing hair cell death and preserving hearing.
Area of Science:
- Ototoxicology
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Science
Background:
- Ototoxic drugs, including cisplatin and aminoglycoside antibiotics, cause significant hearing loss by damaging inner ear hair cells.
- A critical need exists for protective therapies that do not compromise the efficacy of these essential medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether sound exposure can induce heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the cochlea.
- To determine if sound preconditioning can protect against cisplatin- and aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Developed a sound exposure protocol to induce HSPs in the cochlea without causing permanent hearing damage.
- Utilized a mouse model of cisplatin ototoxicity to assess the protective effects of sound preconditioning.
- Evaluated the impact of sound therapy on hair cell survival and hearing function following drug exposure.
Main Results:
- Sound preconditioning successfully induced HSPs in the cochlea.
- Sound therapy demonstrated a robust protective effect against cisplatin-induced hearing loss and hair cell death.
- Protection was also observed against aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Sound preconditioning effectively protects the inner ear from ototoxic drug-induced damage.
- Sound therapy shows promise as a strategy to prevent hearing loss in patients undergoing treatment with cisplatin or aminoglycosides.
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