Deafness caused by loud noise, infection, and toxic drugs may soon be a thing of the past.

Scientists have discovered a drug that restores sensory hair cells which are responsible for hearing loss. Codenamed LY411575, the drug works by suppressing proteins called Notch — which prevent stem cells from becoming new sensory hair cells within the cochlea, the auditory area of the inner ear.”

The drug was successful in restoring hearing to mice that had lost their ability hear due to loud noise exposure.

“The significance of the study is that hearing loss is a huge problem affecting 250 million worldwide,” lead researcher Dr. Albert Edge of Harvard Medical School said.

[via The Positive]