Drug delivery to the inner ear

Abstract

Bionic devices electrically activate neural populations to partially restore lost function. Of

fundamental importance is the functional integrity of the targeted neurons. However, in many

conditions the ongoing pathology can lead to continued neural degeneration and death that

may compromise the effectiveness of the device and limit future strategies to improve

performance. The use of drugs that can prevent nerve cell degeneration and promote their

regeneration may improve clinical outcomes. In this paper we focus on strategies of delivering

neuroprotective drugs to the auditory system in a way that is safe and clinically relevant for use

in combination with a cochlear implant. The aim of this approach is to prevent neural

degeneration and promote nerve regrowth in order to improve outcomes for cochlear implant

recipients using techniques that can be translated to the clinic.