New Pill Could Be Music To Your Ears -- Literally

New Pill Could Be Music To Your Ears -- Literally

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Story Published: Dec 13, 2002 at 3:32 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 12:54 AM PDT

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SEATTLE - A new pill could bring music to your ears -- literally.

Now, a local company is developing a drug that could help save your hearing.

Everyday we're exposed to noise. For 40 million of us everyday, even hazardous noise levels at work.

Hearing loss is now the leading occupational disease.

The symptoms aren't always obvious.

"What they'll tell you is that: 'I noticed the TV is a little loud. I noticed I don't pick-up everything in conversation anymore. I notice that I don't like going to loud bars and restaurants anymore,' " said Dr. Jonathan Kil with Sound Pharmaceuticals in Seattle.

Dr. Kil and Sound Pharmaceuticals are developing a drug to stop noise from damaging your ears.

It's a simple concept. You take two pills a day when you know you're going to be exposed to noise. Say, for example, you work on a road crew and you have to listen to jack-hammering all day. The pills would prevent hearing loss.

Researchers are testing the drug on mice. The medication mimics an enzyme that protects the inner ear.

Next year, Kil wants to test it in war games. In 2004, they'll test another pill that could prevent chemotherapy from damaging hearing.

For the Hawkinson family, that drug couldn't come soon enough.

Nine-year-old Charlie lost his hearing after chemotherapy for a brain tumor.

"To be able to come up with a drug like that would be a mini miracle," said his dad Brad.

And, Dr. Kil says he's also developing an injection that would restore hearing by stimulating new cell growth. That drug will be tested on people in 2005.

For More Information:

Sound Pharmaceuticals -- www.soundpharmacueticals.com

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