A boost for people with hearing problems.  Alan Jay PhD

A breakthrough in the Genome project announced 13^th October 2004 is set to change the way we look at hearing. After years of speculation, Scientists have finally identified the protein responsible for converting vibrations into signals the brain can understand. It is called TRPA1 “trp-a-1”.

The immediate impact will benefit the millions with Tinnitus problems. The debilitating disease where sufferers experience continuous noise sensation.

The longer-term benefit will be hearing correction by repair or modification of the chromosomes that produce the protein rather than surgery or hearing aids.

Abstract

When sound waves travel into the ear, they first contact the eardrum and cause it to vibrate. The eardrum in turn causes three tiny bones inside the ear to vibrate. The last of these bones taps against a snail-shaped, fluid-filled structure called the cochlea. This houses the important hair cells associated with hearing. Vibrations passed onto the cochlea change the pressure of the fluid inside, and the cilia generate mechanical force by moving back and forth. Just how this action is converted into brain waves has baffled scientists for many years. During the genome project it became likely that only certain types of proteins could facilitate the conversion. TRPA1 became a likely candidate when its involvement in the sight mechanism of fruit flies was discovered.

In Humans, TRPA1 is found on the tip of hair cells in the inner ear. It works by forming a donut-like channel in the cell membrane of inner ear hair cells. Structures attached to the cilia controlling the opening and closing of the TRPA1 protein have been identified. Proving TYPA1 to be at the centre of the body's hearing mechanism.

In the absence of sound, the hole is closed, but when sound strikes the protein, the hole pops open like a trap door, allowing potassium and calcium ions to flood into the cells. The opening of the TRPA1 protein causes a difference in electrical potential energy, which spurs the hair cell to release neurotransmitters. These are picked up by nerve fibres and translated into electrical signals—the language that the brain understands.  These are relayed to the brain for interpretation.

This allows the conjecture that if the trap door gets jammed open. The brain is continuously being told that there is sound when there is none. In an effort to make sense of it all, tinnitus results. For the sufferer all sorts of hearing sensations are experienced. As a result there is no peace and quiet, it is hard to relax and stress is increased.

From this discovery I believe help is at hand from a natural solution.

At the hinge of the jaw, the nerves transmitting hearing signals pass close to the surface of the skin. In fact some Jaw disorders also bring about similar hearing sensations. It is feasible to use this application to deliver a formula with the right molecular structure to block the defective protein and thus give some respite to tinnitus.

I have examined the molecular structure of TRPA1. I also searched the herbal pharmacopoeia, journals on natural medicines and archives of folklore relating to cures for hearing.

A resulting natural solution, delivered in a roller ball to the natural indent at the base of the ear and the hinge of the jaw at either side of the head has already provided a favourable response, and given the scale of the tinnitus problem, and side effects of using drugs then natural remedies favour further investigation. 

Please view our present achievement in other areas at our arthritis resource site

http://www.arthritis-solutions.co.uk/ and if tinnitus sufferers would like further discussion please contact me at trials@country-harmony.org