Inventors:
Douglas Cotanche - Southborough MA, US
Mark Parker - Hull MA, US
International Classification:
A61K038/00
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for treating and preventing sensorineural hearing loss in a subject in need of such treatment by implanting stem cells into the subject's inner ear. The stem cells of the present invention are preferably derived from a neuronal lineage and are capable of differentiating into cochlear hair cells. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the subject suffering from the sensorineural hearing loss is a mammal such as a human.