Researchers into deafness given £30,000

Deafness Research UK has given the cash to scientists at Sheffield University for two key projects into the formation of sensory hair cells and mutations responsible for some hereditary deafness.

The awards are among seven worth £92,000 across the UK.

Vivienne Michael, chief executive of the charity, said: “The cumulative effect of these individual grants will be considerable, as they focus on some of the most fascinating and pressing issues in current deafness research.

“While funding big headline projects continues, it is critical not to lose sight of these essential smaller projects.

“Key breakthroughs of the past have come from such research and consequently they remain of great importance to the work that we undertake.

“With this new funding we have looked very much to the future, with research covering both the search for long term treatments for deafness not forgetting sufferers of conditions like tinnitus, by funding research that will hopefully enable us to deliver better therapeutic solutions.”

Deafness Research UK estimates one in seven people in the UK suffer hearing loss.