University Study Finds Epilepsy Drug Can Prevent Hearing Condition

By Helen MacGregor

Industrial deafness experts have welcomed a study into an epilepsy drug which revealed for the first time the reason why tinnitus occurs and could prevent the condition occurring in the first place.

Researchers at the University Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that retigabine prevented the chronic and debilitating hearing condition from developing after exposure to loud noise in mice.

The research published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that mice treated with the FDA-approved epilepsy drug retigabine immediately after exposure to loud noise did not develop hearing problems.

The team now aims to develop a drug that is specific for the two channels in the brain linked to tinnitus to minimise the potential for side-effects.

Louise Scott is a member of the committee of the Birmingham and District Tinnitus group, a trained tinnitus adviser and Irwin Mitchell solicitor who specialises in claims for noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

She said: “Tinnitus is a devastating condition that leaves sufferers with hearing problems and frustrated by the constant noise in their ears.

“We continue to be contacted by people who suffer tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss through no fault of their own, after being exposed in the workplace.

“We welcome the research on such a potentially devastating condition and the findings are hugely important and may even one day lead to a cure which would benefit the thousands of people who are diagnosed with tinnitus every year.”

If you or a loved one has suffered from hearing damage such as acoustic shock, tinnitus, and noise-induced hearing loss caused by conditions at work our solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Industrial Disease Claims page for more information.