An Oklahoma doctor says he's unlocked the secret to preventing hearing loss from loud noises. That's something that could be invaluable on the war front in Iraq & Afghanistan.
Dr. Robert Floyd May.... of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.... is testing a combination of two drugs... that stops cells in the ear from dying when loud noises cause trauma.
Dr. May says, "If we can get the drugs in 4 hours after the trauma, then they're protected - completely protected. It's pretty remarkable."
Dr. May hopes saays the drug combo scored impressive results in tests with chinchillas - animals which hear the same sound frequency range as humans. He hopes to begin clinical trials with service men & women soon.
The military had been working on its own version of the drug, but progress on that is stalled.
In the meantime, the government spends about a billion dollars a year helping troops who lose their hearing on the battlefield.
