EuroHear

EuroHear - Bringing the Genetic Basis of Deafness to Light is a European research consortium of scientists from 13 different countries. Their objectives are the identification of genes that cause hearing impairment, the understanding of the mechanisms underlying normal and impaired hearing and the development of tools for the prevention and cure of hearing impairment.

Experimental evidence from recent studies shows that the progression of hearing impairment can be reduced by the use of certain pharmacological drugs. This insight will serve as the basis for further clinical studies and the design of more efficient treatment strategies. The most recently developed tools of genomics and biotechnology will be implemented in the research context of EuroHear as well.

The project started in December 2004 and is supported by the Sixth Research Framework Programme of the European Commission with a 12.5 Million Euro grant for the duration of five years.

For further information please visit: http://www.eurohear.org