More than 5% of people worldwide (over 466 million) have serious hearing loss and need treatment. In some cases, surgery is required to repair the eardrum (tympanic membrane), especially when it doesn’t heal on its own. Scientists are exploring ways to grow new eardrum tissue using stem cells, but this requires lab conditions that closely mimic the human body.
Current lab systems used to grow tissue have limitations, such as static culture conditions and suboptimal nutrients reaching the cells. A new device called an acoustic bioreactor has been designed to solve this. It allows tissue to be cultured in air-liquid conditions, improving nutrient flow and simulating cells with sound, simulating the ear conditions. The hearing loss treatment market is growing, and research centers are developing new solutions. The acoustic bioreactor is easy to use with standard lab equipment, making it accessible to many researchers. It could also be used for other types of cells and applications, opening doors to treatments vocal cord problems and other for bone diseases.
This innovation could help speed up the development of new therapies and bring regenerative medicine closer to everyday healthcare.