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In Great Britain and the United States, scientists are making use of stem cells to cure deafness. The scientists have discovered that stem cells can regenerate in the inner ears of animals. They have also discovered that stem cells can re-grow into the microscopic hairs that are in the inner ear. These microscopic hairs are what make hearing possible. The scientists have discovered that if these stem cells are injected into the inner ear of some animals, they will regenerate into these microscopic hairs that permit haring.
The stem cells are taken from embryos and used in the research. It is felt that stem cells could be used to cure deafness within the next five to fifteen years. Research is currently underway at Stanford University and Sheffield University, which is in Britain.
Currently, all sorts of technologies are used to help deaf and near-deaf people to hear. Some of these have to be surgically implanted. This new stem cell alternative offers something much better - the ability for the body to hear again unaided by any external device. Also, having these stem cells injected would result in an ability to hear that would be much better than that offered through these external devices.
When a person loses his hearing, he will also eventually lose his ability to speak, as speech is dependent on hearing. Therefore, if (and when) this new stem cells knowledge is perfected, not only will a lot of deaf people will be able to hear, a lot of dumb people will be able to talk again - by learning from what they will be able to hear.
As science and technology continues to advance rapidly, especially in the advanced countries, a lot of seemingly incurable ailments and conditions will become things of the past. In the not too distant future, deafness may very well become a thing of the past.
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