Advances in nano-based inner ear delivery systems for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is one of the most common diseases, accounting for about 90% of all hearing loss. Leading causes of SNHL include advanced age, ototoxic medications, noise exposure, inherited and autoimmune disorders. Most of SNHL is irreversible and managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Although there is increased understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of SNHL, biologic treatment options are limited due to lack of noninvasive targeted delivery systems. Obstacles of targeted inner ear delivery include anatomic inaccessibility, biotherapeutic instability, and nonspecific delivery. Advances in nanotechnology may provide a solution to these barriers. Nanoparticles can stabilize and carry biomaterials across the round window membrane into the inner ear, and ligand bioconjugation onto nanoparticle surfaces allows for specific targeting. A newer technology, nanohydrogel, may offer noninvasive and sustained biotherapeutic delivery into specific inner ear cells. Nanohydrogel may be used for inner ear dialysis, a potential treatment for ototoxicity-induced SNHL.

Sensorineural hearing loss and cognitive impairments: Contributions of thalamus using multiparametric MRI

“…SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS (SNHL) accounts for 90% of reported hearing loss (HL), which leads to difficulties in understanding speech and other voices directly. Cross‐section and longitudinal evidence suggested that auditory system dysfunction, including deafness and acoustic trauma, contribute to cognitive impairments, which is a result of neural plasticity.…”

The Relationship Between Hearing Thresholds and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…The main causes of SNHL are advanced age, the use of ototoxic medications, noise exposure, hereditary, and autoimmune diseases [1]. It has recently been reported that various other factors such as family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, head trauma, diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and some renal pathologies also lead to changes in hearing [2–5].…”

Nanomedicine strategy for optimizing delivery to outer hair cells by surface-modified poly(lactic/glycolic acid) nanoparticles with hydrophilic molecules

“…7,8 Therefore, drugs have been delivered to the inner ear based on nanomedicine strategies using different types of nanocarriers. 6,9 Among these nanocarrier materials, poly(lactic/glycolic acid) (PLGA), approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in multiple drug delivery systems in humans, has attracted considerable attention due to its high biodegradability and biocompatibility. 10 More interestingly, it has been illustrated in our previous study that Since the NP surface contacts with biological systems, their characteristics greatly impact NP performance in vivo and the overall effectiveness.…”

“…[2][3][4] To improve the efficiency for treating hearing loss associated with OHC pathology, targeted drug delivery to OHCs in the organ of Corti (OC) of cochlea is required. 5,6 Novel nanosized drug vehicles are thought to overcome the limitations of classic approaches through controlled or sustained release into the inner ear fluids, cellular cytoplasm, or the nucleus of targeted cells. 7,8 Therefore, drugs have been delivered to the inner ear based on nanomedicine strategies using different types of nanocarriers.…”